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Bake Something Delish

Diving into a recipe may improve your mood

By

Staying Sharp

Updated May 28, 2026

Updated May 28, 2026

A person taking cookies out of an oven

GMVozd/Getty Images

Quick Win

Spend an afternoon whipping up a yummy treat and a happier mindset.

Try This Today

Find a new recipe for a baked good that you want to create, such as muffins or banana bread, and give it a whirl.
Invite some friends or neighbors to come by and sample your latest culinary creation.
Swap recipes with friends. Find other baking fans and ask them for their favorite recipes and give them yours.

Why

Baking can be a fun hobby to pick up and a great way to unwind when you have some free time. It’s also an activity that can be very personal, and it engages the senses, according to the authors of a report published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being in 2026. In one of the studies — of 295 adults, mean age 37 — included in the report, people who made foods like muffins and bread for others felt a boost in their happiness, self-esteem and vitality.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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