Many people find that cooking is an enjoyable way to relieve stress.  And likely, just as many people if not more,  find that eating a well prepared and delicious meal is a great way to relieve stress as well.  Many chefs talk about the connection that food has with their fond memories, relationships to others, and feelings of wholeness in their lives.  Chefs also mention that preparing food for others requires a great deal of concentration and thinking about others. Much care goes into selecting the right ingredients to make another person smile. When taking so much time to think about others, it is often difficult to be stressed out about your own life.

Even if you do not know how to cook,  I have found that cooking is a way to build bridges between people. One cook may not know another cook but after one bite of food they are fast friends when talking about (or not talking about) their favorite ingredients in their prize-winning recipes.  In fact, among most people, food is a common denominator.  What is your favorite way to utilize food as a way to relieve stress?

Here are a few suggestions on how to relax yourself using the sense of taste.

     Slowly savoring a favorite treat can be very relaxing, but mindless stress eating will only add to your stress and your waistline. The key is to indulge your sense of taste mindfully and in moderation. Eat slowly, focusing on the feel of the food in your mouth and the taste on your tongue:

• Chew a piece of sugarless gum.

• Indulge in a small piece of dark chocolate.

• Sip a steaming cup of coffee or tea or a refreshing cold drink.

• Eat a perfectly ripe piece of fruit.

• Enjoy a healthy, crunchy snack (celery, carrots, or trail mix). ^[1]

• – Drinking tea with your eyes closed
  – Eat something sweet
  – Eat your meals without distraction^[2]
• To calm a busy mind, try eating and drinking mindfully. If you’re drinking ginger tea, for example, swish it around in your mouth and notice the district flavors – are they sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory? Eat and drink at a slower pace, appreciating and savoring every bite and every sip. Notice the distinct flavors and textures of your food, how they pair together, and how different foods make you feel.  Appreciate the flavor of your food, appreciating where it came from and how it was made. ^[3]