We all know food is good for the soul, but what about just spending time in the kitchen? New research has revealed how we should be using our kitchens as a place to de-stress and practise mindfulness, not just to cook and eat. According to the survey, 60% of people believe that spending time in the kitchen genuinely makes them happy.
Leading kitchen retailer Magnet has commissioned research into the role of the kitchen when it comes to our happiness and well-being. The survey unveiled how compartmentalised living makes our homes a more relaxing environment, with 1 in 3 people now using this interior style for a happier, more organised space.
Compartmentalised living is where separate zones of an area are created using split levels, furnishings or different flooring to break up the room for other uses. Even open-plan kitchens and living areas work well when it comes to compartmentalised living, as large rooms can be divided by non-structural markers such as furniture or partitioning. Consider how the space is used in today’s new normal to enjoy it more.
A huge 71% of those surveyed agreed that compartmentalised living has become more important since the pandemic, particularly with WFH zones of the home now becoming a standard addition to our homes.
Whilst we’re now spending more time at home than in previous years, mindfulness and well-being within the home are rising trends that are impacting the way we design our homes. By breaking up rooms into different zones, we can use them in entirely new and innovative ways.
Listening to music was voted the top well-being activity in the kitchen, coming ahead of socialising, crafting and baking. So, making space for a smart speaker, DAB radio, or Bluetooth speakers could do a world of good for well-being in the home. Or, for a more seamless effect, consider a soundbar for an integrated music system.
The average time that it takes to release those endorphins and start feeling happy from being in the kitchen is just 6 – 10 minutes. That means that after a hard day’s work or a particularly stressful Zoom meeting, a quick 10 minutes in the kitchen could make all the difference.
Hayley Simmons, Director of Commercial Range at Magnet, said: “It’s no surprise that kitchens make us feel good; it’s a place to spend time with loved ones, it’s filled with delicious smells and tastes, it is normally a place to gather at the end of a busy day, plus, it’s where the food is.
“It is surprising, however, to see that it takes just 6-10 minutes of time in the kitchen to get us feeling good again and that so many of us find listening to music in the kitchen a great way to unwind. It was even more unexpected that listening to music beat cooking or baking, which have been such popular mindful activities in the kitchen over the last 18 months.”
To read more about being mindful in the kitchen, visit the Magnet blog, including top insight from Niki Webster, owner and creator of Rebel Recipes, the vibrant vegetarian food blog and recipe archive. Alongside her top tips on how she de-stresses, she also shares a beautiful recipe that will get anyone feeling good.
Read more health-related guides, news and features here.
*The results are based on a survey of 2,000 UK homeowners.
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