Setting aside time to sit down with family or friends for a meal may be at the bottom of the day’s to-do list because everyone seems too busy to take a break, or it takes too much effort to make plans, let alone cook. Plus, many of us eat on the go or while working at our desks. However, new research suggests that eating with people we care about, such as family or co-workers, may lower our stress levels, improve our workdays, and help us make healthier food choices.
In a report released this week, the American Heart Association (AHA) surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults about their eating habits and found that nearly all parents (91%) said their family is less stressed when they eat together. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of adults report at least some pressure, and 84% of them wish they could eat with others more often. Overall, respondents reported eating alone about half of the time.
Managing chronic stress can help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. When the body is in constant fight-or-flight mode, our stress hormones are activated, and in turn, our blood pressure and heart rate spike. Mealtime can be one way to reduce this intense reaction and instill a sense of calm.
“Sharing meals with others is a great way to reduce stress, increase self-esteem and improve social connections, especially for children,” Dr. Erin Michos, associate director of preventive cardiology at Johns Hopkins University, said in a report. Press release. Anne Fischer, director and co-founder of the nonprofit Family Dinner Project, told Science magazine that research shows teens may feel most comfortable opening up during meals. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Asking your children questions at family dinners shows that you are curious about them, which can increase their interest self-esteem.
Sharing meals also tends to promote healthier eating habits: 59% of respondents said they were more likely to make healthy food choices when eating with others.
Another benefit is uninterrupted bonding time: The survey found that for 67% of respondents, sharing a meal reminded them of the importance of connecting with others, and 54% said it reminded them to take a break and slow down. Not to mention, today, like The best meal delivery services for families Makes it easy to prepare a nutritious meal quickly, allowing you to focus on distraction-free quality time.
The mental health impact of the simple act of eating together can also help us in the workplace – 69% of part-time or full-time employees said taking a break to eat with colleagues reduced their stress levels.
“We know that bringing people together over meals isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Like any other healthy habit, give yourself permission to start small and go from there,” Michos said in the release. “Set a goal to get together with friends, family or co-workers for one more meal per week. If you can’t get together in person, consider how you can eat together over the phone or computer.”
Fishel said it’s not about bringing back “the fantasy of the 1950s, where the kitchen was spotless and one of the parents, usually the mother, was slowly cooking a pot roast at home.” Harvardbut instead rearrange the meal to make it relevant to the people you’re dining with.
About a year ago, I suggested to two of my roommates that we host a “weekly roommate dinner,” where every Wednesday one of us would cook a new recipe for all of us to share around the dinner table that rarely got used. With our different schedules, we didn’t have time to sit together and have a real conversation. Now, I look forward to having dinner together every week.
Make mealtime an opportunity to explore new recipes or go to a new restaurant with friends or kids. Instead of eating because you have to at the end of a long day, look forward to that time as a way to connect with others without a screen. The famous Mediterranean diet promotes “joy”, which makes an important distinction between “what” we eat and “how” we eat it.
each Tuesdaythe American Heart Association shares budgeting tips, tips for managing meals for picky eaters, and ways to incorporate tech-free mealtimes into your week.