Besides the emotional-relational benefits of eating together, numerous studies have proven the many benefits for teens and young children when they have regular sit-down dinners with their families. From decreased likelihood to become involved with drugs and alcohol, to strengthening relationships, the benefits are astounding, and something that should cause us all to pause and take notice. Whether you're married or not, have children, are a stay-at-hommie, or live with a college roommate, or are on your own, there are many benefits to making time to simply sit down and enjoy dinner at the end of the day. Here are a few that I feel are the most beneficial.
Become more conscious
By simply making time to make dinner, you are establishing positive eating habits. You become an active participant of what you eat; meaning, you know what s going into your meals. You receive the satisfaction of what you have just made, especially since you know how much work and planning went into preparing it. It allows for the opportunity to eat a balanced meal that incorporates ingredient that are in season from local farmers.
Strengthen relationships
When dinner is served around a table and not in front of the television, you are expected to communicate without distractions besides eating the food you made. Learning how to listen, look someone in the eye and express thanks, sensing the right times to keep silence, ask questions and get to know someone is a way to continually strengthen any relationship with someone you love and care about. Knowing that someone is curious about your day and ten returning the favor builds a support system that provides a peace of mind because you realize that someone cares, which builds confidence and a sense of direction.
Save money
Cooking at home and serving a meal to family, friends or yourself is a simple way to save money. Eating out, while a treat, can add up if done regularly, and it usually will add to your waistline as well. By making a decision to eat at home more than you eat out will keep money in your pocket that can be served for grander dreams and goals.
Slow down
While sitting down for dinner motivates you to eat slower and enjoy your food, it also gives you permission to slow down in the middle of a possibly very harried schedule. When you slow down enough to savor your food, the conversation and the atmosphere, you allow your mind to relax; you welcome balance into your life and think a bit more clearly.
This particular benefit is something that not everyone learns until they realize they didn't learn it at all. When you learn how to communicate respectful (allowing others to speak, but trusting that you will have the opportunity to be heard as well), you come to realize that communication is a key to working through difficulties and disagreements. Sitting around the table, especially during the holidays and during dinner parties when many different opinions are in the room, typically provokes lively debate. But instead of avoiding the scenario, if you have learned how to communicate in a mature fashion, you don't have to shy away from emotional discussions, but instead revel in them as they allow everyone to have their own ideas and share them without being dismissed.
While it may take more organization and planned ahead, by being pro-active, sitting down to dinner more often can add many wonderful benefits to your life. What are some things you love about sitting down for meals?
Photo courtesy: (1) Pretty Stuff; (2) Dustjacket Attic; (3) A Well Traveled Woman
To read more about the benefits of dinner-table-eating, check out Barilla and The New York Times.
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