Weighted blanket not cutting it? Add these shows to your self-care routine.

Leggings? Check.

Comfy three-day-worn sweatshirt? Check.

Burritoed between blankets and nestled into the butt indentation on your couch? Check and check.

Now...how to quell this existential dread?

It's no secret - life can suck. It's also been exponentially harder this past year. (Again, not a shocking revelation.) If we didn't have a self-care routine before 2020, we either attempted to create one or, really, just tried to understand what the hell "self-care" meant. Some people plunged themselves into yoga, coloring books, and plant babies. Others turned to wine, ice cream, and screaming into pillows. Still, others immersed themselves in reading, baking, or streaming shows. Hell, why not do all of the things!

One regular constant for self-soothing during hard times:

The Great British Baking Show on Netflix (8 collections | 80 episodes)

Millions of people have already watched The Great British Baking Show (for U.S. peeps and The Great British Bake-Off for U.K. peeps). Eight collections on Netflix (the U.K. has all eleven seasons) grace us with the surprisingly comforting stream of 12 amateur bakers competing under the big white tent. Signature bakes, technical challenges, and showstoppers provide a consistent backdrop for whipped eggs, butter, and sugar. There's coziness in knowing that each week will most likely bring the familiar territory of biscuits, cakes, or bread. Proving dough has never been more therapeutic.

Yes, the Great British Baking Show is a competition (which can be stressful) but there's a major difference with this contest—people care about each other. No whiff of cutthroat, backstabbing competitors here. Harsh yelling and shouting are non-existent, replaced instead with cheesy time calls from the hosts. Fellow bakers actually help each other out. Someone panicking about decorating their petit fours? Peter will come to lend a hand. When needed, the comedic hosts shed their wacky personas to calm down and uplift stressed bakers. And there are always hugs. Lots of hugs.

There's humanity under the big white tent. And that's like a warm chocolate chip cookie for the brain.

While some (or most) die-hard fans will say the show isn't the same without judge Mary Berry and hosts Mel and Sue, quirky antics still exist with Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig as hosts (Matt Lucas later replaces Sandi and brings goofy charm to the tent, too). Prue Leith balances out the (scripted) steeliness of Paul Hollywood with colorful poshness. The beautiful thing (thanks to streaming) is that you can settle in with any of the collections and watch who you want to watch.

Imagine you're part of a Mel and Sue sandwich as they hug a contestant. Happily sip your tea and cheer as Mary Berry praises someone for not having a soggy bottom. Shout "I'm Old Gregg!" from your blanket burrito any time Noel appears onscreen.

Added bonus: the Derry girls. Besides the main show, Netflix also offers holiday episodes. Six bonus episodes stream in the U.S. (as we patiently wait for more) and The Great Festive Baking Show featuring the cast of Netflix's Derry Girls is the bright and shiny gem this pandemic-sodden year needed. I actually watched this episode three times because it made me laugh so hard.

Siobhán McSweeney, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn, and Nicola Coughlan (yep, from Bridgerton) react as I feel like I would if flung under the white tent—screaming, freaking out, and making a mess. Siobhán’s deadpan commentary to the camera is hilarious. And whenever something doesn't turn out, like the slimy champagne gelatin in her trifle, she counters with side-splitting humor.

"See, in Ireland, we love slime. It's traditional that we have slime for the new year. Um, so, please don't diss my culture. And eat up your slime."

This episode alone is the perfect pick-up for anyone.

If you've gobbled up all that Netflix offers for The Great British Baking Show, then you'll be happily surprised to binge:

The Great Pottery Throw Down on HBO Max (3 seasons | 24 episodes)

Yep, you read that right. Is this a close cousin to The Great British Baking Show? Pretty much. And it's just as endearing. This show takes 10 home potters from around the U.K. and throws them (pun-most-definitely-intended) into different competitions. Clay replaces dough in the main make, throw down, and spot test challenges.

Similar to its baking cousin, The Great Pottery Throw Down is also a positive and supportive competition. I know, that seems contradictory. But it's true. Sure, stress makes the contestants sweat next to their pottery wheels just as bakers do next to their ovens, but everyone is understanding. The judges actively cheer on the potters as they attempt to pull goblets from a spinning pile of clay. No yelling. No shouting. Just cheeky banter thrown (yep, there's that pun again) around the studio. And what's better for a much-needed laugh than a not-so-subtle euphemism of "slapping balls" as the potters prime their clay.

Watching dough rise in the oven can be mesmerizing. Watching a potter's hands glide over revolving clay is just as entrancing. And while the competitive aspect can make you grimace...will they get their pieces in the drying room? (they do)...will their pot survive a bisque firing? (sometimes not)...ultimately watching these artists orchestrate sketched conceptions to fired glory is awe-inspiring. Whether we're staring at a deliciously frosted three-tiered cake or ooh and ahhing over a delicately fired porcelain chandelier, passively viewing creativity most definitely boosts serotonin levels.

The gem of this show is judge and master potter Keith Brymer Jones. Silly hairstyle aside, Keith not only motivates the amateur potters but also openly cries whenever a piece inspires him. And he's not ashamed about it which is heartwarming. I've even teared up watching Keith tear up. Sometimes you just need a good cry to self-soothe.

Added bonus: our hilarious friend Siobhán is the host for season four (streaming April 1)!

If the competitive nature of these Great Cousins is too high-energy for your couch lounging, then relish in the pure unbridled joy of baking (and see a familiar face) with:

Nadiya Bakes on Netflix (1 season | 8 episodes)

Spoiler alert: Nadiya Hussain won season three of The Great British Baking Show.

It's a delight to partake in this blissful brand-new show. Nadiya's joy is contagious even through the screen. The bright colors in her wardrobe and kitchen spliced with beautiful nature scenes and a relaxing yet upbeat soundtrack creates a cheerful landscape for her effervescent personality. This show is a direct shot of dopamine to our tired brains. She even tells us in the intro:

"When I bake, somehow it makes me feel that little bit better."

We get to feel that little bit better just by watching.

Nadiya's bright, beaming smile will make you beam from under your blankets as she walks us through her mouth-watering bakes. She intersperses her guided recipes with anecdotes about baking with her mom, baking for her family, and silly humor. Love, joy, and chili peppers are infused in her bakes.

Added bonus: watching buttery golden puff pastry rise in the oven accompanied by a chill lo-fi track is the mood-booster you didn't know you needed. Seriously, the chicken pithivier baking scene from episode three could play on a constant loop and brighten any frame of mind. (Definitely watch and check it out.)

Self-care brought to you by pastry.

The gem of this show is Nadiya's unwavering excitement. She'll enthusiastically jump up and down after pulling a cake out of the oven. She can barely contain herself as she bites into a decadent brownie or savors that first bite of a gorgeous layer cake. How can you frown looking at that jubilant face?

She always shares with her film crew, too! Shot during the pandemic, everyone is socially distanced but that doesn't mean anyone is deprived of a delicious bake. Watching them all smile as they bite into a pavlova can almost transport you onto the bright green grassy lawn, surrounded by smiling faces. A nod to (hopefully soon) future times of happy gatherings. Hopefully, Netflix will bring us another season of this uplifting show. Because we all need it.

Blanket cocoon? Check.

Any of these three shows on auto-play? Check.

Self-care routine bolstered and mood boosted? Check and check.

Existential dread is beaten for one more day.

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Thank you so much for reading! Tips and hearts are greatly appreciated! Also, click here to check out my other pieces.