Why Do You Need Family Dinners?

The French anthropologist and sociologist Claude Lévi-Strauss once wrote that humanity begins in the kitchen. And this is not an artistic exaggeration at all. Since ancient times, shared meals have been a special ritual that provided an opportunity for communication and establishing connections, as well as bringing a certain routine into everyday life. Eating alone was not welcomed, and was even considered inappropriate behavior.

Today, breakfast, lunch and dinner also have much more importance in our lives than is commonly believed. Try to immerse yourself in childhood memories - you will probably find a couple of warm family stories in one way or another related to food. Often, a lot of important and interesting things happened at the table - holidays, long-awaited meetings, exchange of the latest news.

Despite the fact that due to various circumstances with age we begin to move away from this good tradition, eating together still has important functions. Let's find out more about what is hidden behind this ritual and why family dinners do not lose their value even in the age of fast food.

Education

Family dinners have always been a place for the younger generation to socialize. It is here that children learn the rules of behavior and etiquette, food culture, and learn wisdom from older generations through instructions and advice.

The latest studies show that the tradition of family dinners is passed on: children who grew up in families with this habit usually transfer this rule to their new families . Moreover, at any age, they eat better, giving preference to high-quality and natural products and homemade food, instead of semi-finished products and fast food.

Benefits for health

Eating in the company of close and pleasant people promotes the formation of oxytocin. This hormone forms attachment and emotional closeness. With its help, we feel not only happy and satisfied with life, but also full. Oxytocin suppresses the hunger hormone ghrelin, thereby reducing the amount of food consumed and accelerating satiety.

For some reason, eating alone can lead to overeating, especially if the delicious food replaces the need for socializing and is a way to relieve stress. Therefore, the next time your hands reach for something tasty, think about whether you are really hungry now or trying to eat some psychological problems.

Regular family dinners have a positive effect on mental health. Children who grew up with such a tradition can boast of stress resistance and adequate stable self-esteem. They are less likely to experience symptoms such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Such people feel happier, satisfied with life, are more open to communication and make contact more easily.

Soul warmth

According to a survey by the National Drug Center of Columbia University, teenagers who spend more time with their family at the table are 2 times less likely to use drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Psychologists explain this by the fact that such people have closer, warm and trusting relationships with their parents. Equally important is the fact that teenagers themselves consider joint dinners as a good opportunity to talk with family members . However, not the last role is played by the way these meetings are held.

A family dinner is a good opportunity for reconciliation, support and unification. Family members share thoughts and talk about things that are important to each other. Gathering together for a meal means putting aside all disputes and conflicts. It is not for nothing that different cultures and rules of etiquette prohibit discussing controversial topics at the table, which can cause contradictions and create a tense atmosphere among those present.

Any conflicts and disputes are perceived by our body as stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" reaction. It is logical to assume that for better assimilation of nutrients, a switch to the parasympathetic system is required, which can be conventionally called "rest and absorb". In other words, it is better to postpone the discussion of all difficult topics, as well as remarks about untidy things in the room.