Considering Self-Care in High School Home Economics Education with the Aid of Scoping Reviews of Mindfulness and Cooking and of Mindfulness and Knitting

Abstract

Mindfulness is regarded as a systematic process of shaping the innate quality of the mind primarily practised through meditation. As a result, this paper aims to uncover the nature and spirit of mindfulness practice, which should go beyond clinical intervention or disciplined practices, to explore how self-care techniques like food preparation, knitting, and mindfulness exercises can be incorporated into home economics education. The current review found 12 research papers with statements about cooking and 6 on crafting/knitting. Beyond mindfulness eating, the retrieved papers in the current review have captured a few studies that put forward the elements of mindfulness in cooking. Nonetheless, most papers did not treat cooking as a mindfulness practice, but rather as a self-care practice that resulted in similar psychological factors such as awareness, behavioural changes, and self-efficacy. Moreover, the studies and documentation of crafts in home economics education, such as knitting, sewing, and needlepoint, have been described as mindfulness-based activities. Additionally, it acts as a type of self-care by calming down, alleviating tension, and encouraging relaxation. Therefore, home economics classes should be promoted in schools, and self-care and mindfulness exercises should be added to the curriculum.