Why You Should Try Making Your Own Bread This Mental Health Awareness Week 

For many, baking bread is the ultimate comfort activity, turning our kitchens into a haven of flour-covered countertops and heavenly aromas. As we knead the dough and get lost in the ebb and flow of the rhythm, we’re present in the room, channelling our inner bakers and embracing the magic of chemistry.

And let’s not forget the satisfaction of slicing into a freshly baked loaf, knowing that we’ve conquered the art of bread-making and can now proudly call ourselves “yeast whisperers.” 

Yep, it’s no secret that baking bread brings us happiness. We’re not alone; it has been shown that individuals who engage in creative projects such as cooking and baking are happier in their day-to-day lives.

Making Bread Nourishes The Mind, Soul & Body…

So just why is making bread so good for our minds? When you’re focusing on kneading dough, you’re present with what you’re creating. Engaging in the process of baking allows us to focus on a creative task, providing a meditative escape from daily stressors. This act of mindfulness helps you forget about worries in your life and reduces stress. Moreover, kneading dough offers a form of stress relief itself through repetitive actions. 

There’s also a sense of achievement at the end of it, of course. Creating a delicious loaf can help you improve self-esteem and establish a sense of positivity.

And let’s not forget that sharing a slice of freshly made, homemade bread with loved ones fosters connection and strengthens bonds. As the NHS explains, “creating and maintaining good connections with others can also help to combat loneliness and improve mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety”.

What’s not to love?

Moreover, in light of a recent study revealing that some supermarket loaves contain more salt than a whole bag of crisps, it’s better on your belly too. If you make your own bread, you are in control of the ingredients, meaning you can produce a far more nutritious and delicious loaf for a fraction of the price, resulting in a huge sense of self-satisfaction. In essence, baking bread nourishes not only our body, but our mind and soul, too.

Matthews Cotswold Flour, Britain’s leading speciality flour producer, is encouraging everyone to try baking their own bread in light of Mental Health Awareness Week which falls on the 15th of May.

They’ve been kind enough to share this simple seeded sandwich bread recipe with us…

So, go ahead, bake some happiness!

Makes: 1 loaf

• Prep time: 10 mins , plus proving time
• Bake time: 30-35 mins
• Flours used: Matthews Cotswold Seven Seed and Grain

Ingredients

• 500g Matthews Cotswold Seven Seed and Grain Flour 
• 40g unsalted butter, softened 
• 200ml lukewarm water 
• 100ml lukewarm milk
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar 
• 1&1/2 teaspoon fast action dried yeast  
• 1&1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Add the yeast, sugar, butter and water to the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix. 
2. Add the flour and the salt and knead for 5 mins.
3. Leave to prove for a few hours, until doubled in size. 
4. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface.
5. Shape the loaf and transfer to a loaf cake tin lined with greaseproof baking paper.
6. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 30 mins.
7. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 4. 
8. Bake for about 30-35 mins until golden. Cover with foil if it starts to over-brown.
9. Enjoy!