Have you ever put something off until the last minute? Chances are you have, but have you ever baked to your heart’s content in order to avoid your responsibilities? Well, then you might be guilty of procrastibaking.
According to a New York Times article on the subject, “procrastibaking” is “the practice of baking something completely unnecessary, with the intention of avoiding ‘real’ work.”
I’m definitely guilty of it, but is it really a bad thing? You may not be getting your work done, but you’ll have some yummy treats to occupy you. Also, baking can be a genuine stress reliever for many people. It’s more than just a way to put off what you really have to do.
In 2015, a survey conducted by baking company “Cake Angels” found that one in three people asked said they felt more stressed than five years previously. 80% of them said they had started baking to help relieve the pressure they felt.
“I found baking had a calming influence on me without knowing that was what it was doing. It’s nice to know that something as simple as making a cake has such a positive effect on our emotions, whilst adding finishing touches such as sprinkles to your creation can give you a sense of pride and enhance how you’re feeling,” John Whaite who was the Great British Bake Off winner in 2012 and is now the ambassador for Cake Angels said.
In an interview with Huffington Post, Boston University’s associate professor of psychology and brain sciences Donna Pincus explained the benefits: “There’s a lot of literature for connection between creative expression and overall well-being. Whether it’s painting or it’s making music [or baking], there is a stress relief that people get from having some kind of an outlet and a way to express themselves.”
Those who use baking as a way to cope have united on Instagram, creating #procrastibaking. Looking at the hashtag, you can see the somewhat niche community thriving. The posts even seem to increase around times like tax day, final exams, or really anything that might stress people out.
The hashtag has also given bakers the chance to show off their creations.
“I should admit that I find many ways to procrastinate, but most of them, like weeding out the sock drawer for singletons, are just not as Instagrammable,” said Allison Adato, an editor at People magazine.
Overall, procrastibaking is not only a community thanks to social media, but it is also a legitimate way to unwind and get away from the anxiety of life.
Bake With Lyss 