I had an ex boyfriend years ago who once told his friends that he could tell when I was upset because I would bake a ton of breads, muffins, and cookies. I was feeling kind of stressed and worn out, so I went to a bookstore and then meandered around a grocery store. After that I was rejuvinated and much more cheerful. I do think it is the process of cutting things up and prepping food is soothing. Although I have a food processor, I never use it. It just always seemed faster, cleaner and much more pleasant to chop things up with a knife.