162. Cooking classes might improve your mental health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, you might consider taking a cooking class. In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, Australian researchers studied over 650 adults who took a 7-week cooking course. People who participated in the cooking program saw significant improvements in general health and mental health compared to the control group. The researchers speculated that the cooking program helped many participants gain knowledge about healthy eating. But even participants who didn’t make any changes to their diets after the program still reported improved mental health. It seems likely that cooking classes offer people a sense of community, as well as building their cooking confidence.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
