The significance of sharing a meal.
A great meal with family, friends or colleagues not only nourishes your body, it nourishes your spirit and sense of wellbeing. It allows you to slow down and enjoy the people around you in the present moment.
It starts from an early age. Children who gather around the table with their parents, grandparents or relatives for home-cooked meals learn the love and effort that goes into meal preparation, along with healthy eating habits, casual conversation and social manners. They are better able to connect with others socially and receive peer support. They have more self-esteem and academic success and lower risk of substance abuse and depression.
The same can be said for adults. Whether it’s a communal meal in college, a business dinner, a date night, a casual meal with a friend, or a holiday get-together, sharing meals with others creates a sense of belonging and strengthens relationships and community.
There is something deeply satisfying about gathering people for a meal, especially when everyone contributes in some way. If you step into the corner of the room at a big family gathering, you will observe the magic of mealtime- your dad keeping the drinks flowing; your aunt taking burger and hot dog orders; your brother manning the grill; you, your mom and your sister-in-law working in sync to prepare the sides and set out the food; your uncle beaming with pride as he serves his famous bruschetta; your cousin telling you how she makes her delicious buffalo chicken dip; and little ones trying new foods for the first time. Stories are shared; memories are recalled; and everyone leaves feeling reconnected and grateful for the time together.
What we often forget is that sharing a meal can be just as meaningful in the work setting. Having a space at work where people can gather to eat leads to better relationships and collaboration. It allows people to get to know one another and strengthens company culture. Teams should enjoy meals together on a regular basis in various settings to maintain their connectedness. From one-on-one lunch meetings to potlucks to big company celebrations, there is ample opportunity to reap the benefits of sharing meals at work and connecting through food.