Whether you are starting your day with a cup of coffee from Eagle’s Nest, grabbing lunch from the Walton Dining Commons or having dinner from Breezeway Grill, you will always see people eating together on campus at any time of the day. Eating meals together is something humans naturally do. It is normalized to sit down and eat a nutritious meal together, but have we ever taken a step back to ask why we do this?
In some families, this tradition starts at a young age by creating a positive environment to talk about life or the highlights of your day. When developing into adulthood, everyone’s lifestyles become different and more diverse, which makes it harder to sit down and take time together. Prioritizing that time around the table is learned during childhood and taken into adulthood.
Eating together brings subtle benefits that everyone can enjoy from just one shared meal. The conversations started from just sitting at a table with close friends or family help to build a sense of community with those sitting around you. Whether it’s a lighthearted joke or a serious discussion, sharing meals enhances communication amongst those at a table.
Gathering around a table can make everyone feel comfortable when engaging in conversation. Feeling comfortable helps reduce stress and increase resilience, as there is more self confidence built within oneself. According to a survey done by the American Heart Association, “91% of parents notice their daily is less stressed when they share family meals together.”
The strong communication makes one feel like they are a critical part of the discussion. The exchange that happens around the dinner table can create memories that last a lifetime.
While the social benefits are important, the relationships between the crowd and the food become healthier and more favorable later in life. Social media presents an image of what a “normal” amount of food is for a meal. This creates a misinterpretation of what a healthy lifestyle looks like. With others around you, you are able to branch out and discover the benefits of eating what feels right for you, not what you think you should be eating due to societal standards.
Walking into Dining Commons around 6 p.m. on any weekday, you will be greeted with groups of friends sitting around tables having meals together. You will see many different sports teams congregating over food after a long practice or just groups of friends catching up.
To some, dining solo feels awkward, so they will reach out to friends about going to dinner together. There is a fear a judgement behind sitting alone in a restaurant or a dining hall, that can bring about self-conciousness.
A group meal is something that we do subconsciously, but it helps us grow as humans by gaining social and stress management skills throughout these exchanges. We’re not just focused on our own growth; we’re also inspiring growth in others during these short conversations around the table.