Waves gently rolling onto white sand, crisp breeze ruffling palm trees overhead, a nap in a hammock, a cool drink in your hand, it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic picture of relaxation. But you don’t need palm trees and turquoise waters to find moments of zen in your everyday life. If you’re paying attention, opportunities to embrace calm are all around you, especially in the kitchen.
Cooking has the particular ability to transport us because it creates a close connection to our senses. The process itself can be relaxing, too—think of it as a vacation without leaving home, a welcome respite from the demands of daily life. Inspired by our beloved coastal colour Caribbean, we’re sharing a few tips for unwinding in the kitchen.
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Mise En Place Meditation
The French concept of “mise en place” — meaning “everything in its place” — teaches cooks to prep their ingredients and tools before cooking. Legendary chef Auguste Escoffier first introduced mise en place in the late 1800s, and ever since, the practice has become a key part of the workflow in kitchens around the world. Having all the ingredients assembled frees you to focus on process and technique, eliminating the stress of multi-tasking and creating a better end result. The actual prep work—washing or trimming vegetables, chopping, peeling, shaping—can serve as a kind of active meditation. The rhythmic, repetitive motion soothes the body and mind, much like the rhythm of the ocean. So next time you’re ready to cook, don’t rush through the prep work, but embrace it as a chance to disconnect from the day and drift into calm.
Shop: Knives Get the Recipe: Garlic Shrimp with Corn Salad and Remoulade
Embrace the Senses
Tropical resorts often greet their guests with a chilled, scented towel and a cocktail because engaging the senses makes a moment more rich and memorable. You can apply this same insight to your everyday routines in the kitchen. First, eliminate or reduce any sensory input that raises stress while you’re trying to cook (yes, consider this permission to turn the volume down on your kids’ TV show or put the dog out if she’s determined to bark). Spend two minutes clearing off your kitchen counters so you have space—physical and mental—to create. From here, begin layering in different sensory elements. Maybe you want to turn on some relaxing music to set the vibe while you cook. Sauté some aromatics for the beginning of a Caribbean-inspired curry and enjoy the incredible fragrance as the flavours deepen. Light some candles at the table and set place settings inspired by the vibrant colours of the curry simmering on your stove. Most importantly, take deep breaths and soak it all in along the way. You might find yourself more relaxed by the time you serve than when you began.
Shop: Cast Iron Casseroles Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Chicken and Potatoes
Stir Your Creativity
Because creating involves a little more effort than, say, lying on a lounge chair at the coast, we often forget how calming and rejuvenating it can be. But now, scientific studies back up what we’ve instinctively known all along small acts of everyday creativity increase our overall sense of well-being. Cooking is an excellent place to cultivate a low-stakes creative practice in your daily life. One great way to start? Trying your hand at new recipes or even new-to-you ingredients. The accompanying feeling of discovery and accomplishment is energizing, awakening you to a sense of possibility right here in your ordinary routines. Creating in the kitchen can be fun and free you to play. No matter what you end up cooking, if you lean into it as an opportunity to create, you’ll come away filled up and refreshed.
Shop: Spoons and Spatulas Get the Recipe: Melon Ball Sangria
