Published: 06:54 AM, 06 April 2026
The Healing Power of Home Cooking
Auditi Rahut
In our busy lives, cooking often seems like just a way to fill our stomachs. But in fact, cooking is much more than that. It can be a form of looking after ourselves that keeps both body and mind healthy. But in fact, cooking is much more than that. When we take some time out of our work-packed schedules to cook with our own hands, it becomes a special way of self-care. Chopping, measuring spices, stirring--these simple tasks bring a kind of peace and attention. If we get a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle around us and to spend time with ourselves these moments turn cooking into not just a job of preparing food, but a kind of mindful practice.
Cooking is not only a form of therapy for the body but also for the mind. When the mind gets tired due to the daily rush and pressure of responsibilities, cooking provides a kind of comfort.
These simple tasks, like washing ingredients, slicing or mixing up spices slowly, it calms the mind, which reduces anxiety and stress to a great extent.
Cooking helps us to enhance our concentration. While preparing a meal, we have to be attentive to each step. Paying attention to how much salt to add, how long to boil, or which ingredients to add first increases our ability to focus. Apart from this, cooking teaches patience because each meal has to be prepared properly spending the right amount of time. Most importantly, cooking is a creative activity. Trying a new recipe, rearranging an old recipe in your own way, or creating a completely new flavor, all of these contain the joy of creation. This creativity has a positive effect on the mind and gives us the opportunity to express ourselves in an innovative way.
One of the biggest benefits of cooking is that it generates certain physical benefits. Home-cooked food is much healthier than fast food brought from outside. Home-made food usually uses less oil and spices and has less risk of adulteration.
While cooking at home, we can control the ingredients as we like. How much oil or sugar to use, how to add vegetables or proteins, or which ingredients to omit, everything is in our hands. As a result, the food is more balanced and nutritious.
Eating healthy food regularly improves our overall well-being. It maintains energy in the body, strengthens immunity, and reduces the risk of various illnesses in the long run. Therefore, home cooking is essential not only for taste, but also for a healthy life.
I have always loved experimenting with creative and slightly different recipes. As a child, I often watched cooking on television channels and read food articles, and from then on, I began to understand the science behind cooking. That curiosity made me realize that cooking is not just about preparing food; it is also a kind of experiment.
Among all ingredients, eggs have always been my favorite to work with. I enjoy making different dishes with eggs, each time trying something new. The very first egg dish I made was with cauliflower and egg. I was in class six back then, and on that day, some guests came to our house. I cooked the dish and served it proudly. To my surprise, everyone praised my effort, and that moment gave me the confidence and inspiration to continue exploring kitchen chores.
Even now, I love to cook aligning with the diversity of seasons and occasions. On rainy days, the taste of khichuri with hilsa fish feels like pure comfort. In winter, no celebration seems complete without pitha (cakes) and payesh (porridge). During Puja, naru adds to the festive joy, while on Eid, different varieties of shemai (vermicellies) to make the day special. In this way, the combination of food, season, and tradition always brings me a unique kind of happiness.
For me, cooking is not just a daily task but a creative window and a true source of joy. With every new recipe I try, I discover a new side of myself.
Cooking for yourself is a way of showing love to yourself. When we take care of our health and make something for ourselves, it is a small but important act of self-focus.
Similarly, cooking for family, friends, or loved ones gets relationships closer. Preparing a meal for someone cautiously is a way of expressing care and love for them. Sharing a meal not only fills the stomach but also the mind, and brings a sense of joy and support to relationships. Sharing a meal with our dearest and nearest ones is a simple way to create positive feelings between people. Cooking brings joy, creativity, and a deeper connection to our lives, much more than any ordinary task.
Cooking can be simple and enjoyable even on busy days. There are many easy and quick recipes that take little time and help bring a sense of calm. For example, you can easily make a vegetable stir-fry.
Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a pan, then add chopped onions, garlic, and your favorite seasonal vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and beans. Stir for five to seven minutes, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes, and serve hot with rice or bread for a healthy, quick, and delicious meal. Planning your meals for the week and seeing cooking as part of your self-care routine is a good habit. By preparing recipes and ingredients in advance, you can reduce the stress of cooking while ensuring your meals remain nutritious.
Cooking with fruits and vegetables not only improves your health but also fortifies our power to concentrate. Engaging with your food while cooking adds a sense of peace, joy, and wellness to everyday life.
Cooking is not just about eating; it also brings therapy, relaxation, and delight. It is a simple way to take care of yourself and nurture your well-being. By making cooking a small part of your daily routine, you can turn it into an enjoyable self-exploration practice that nourishes both body and mind.
Auditi Rahut is a student in
Department of English
Language and Literature at
University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka.
