As one year ends and another arrives, we typically like to re-post a story or two from our blog Across the Borderline that hopefully might relieve a bit of the burden of living with BPD.
This year we decided to change that up a little after we came across a story about the therapeutic benefits of baking, not just for oneself but also for others.
As the story, written by Julia B. Thompson and published in the Huffington Post explains, there are several elements in the process of baking bread, cake, pie or cookies for others that are often very helpful in the treatment of BPD, especially in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These include practicing mindfulness, performing acts of gratitude and initiating behavioral activation.
The point Ms. Thompson makes is that there can be greater benefits to baking for others than just eating the fruit pie of your labor.
A note of caution – baking can look deceptively easy, so if you’re new to it but would like to try you might want to start with something modest and fairly achievable to avoid any stress as much as possible. You can find lots of easy-to-bake recipes online or simply buy a box of commercial cake mix from the grocer and have a go.
Helpful hint – if you are looking for some inspiration check out the Great British Bake Off television program in the UK which airs as the Great British Baking Show in the US. There is also a version of the show that’s broadcast in Australia.
As they say on the shows: “On your mark, get set, BAKE!”
Photo courtesy of picjumbo.com
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