STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY BY EATING WITH FRIENDS

STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY BY EATING WITH FRIENDS

Life can be crazy, which means meals on the go are the norm for many. But preserving the endangered ritual of a regular communal meal can lead to a healthier and happier state, even post meal time [1] [2].

SAY NO TO MEALS ON THE GO — THE NEED-TO-KNOW

Social connectedness, whether hanging out after work or sitting down at the table with friends and family for a nightly meal, has been shown to increase happiness and help alleviate depression [3]. Unless meal time looks something like this, the simple act of gathering around the table helps establish connections, which studies have found are crucial in maintaining happiness and a sense of belonging [4]. Translation: Text messages won’t cut it.

Enjoying dinner with friends or family brings a one-two punch of benefits: it accomplishes the goal of face-to-face interaction and can also lead to healthier eating choices [5]. One study found that children who ate family dinners as opposed to quick grab-and-go meals ate more fruits and vegetables and drank less soda [6]. But this isn’t always the case; do beware of the social overeating trap.