Cooking and eating are activities strongly linked to your physical health. However, they can also be impactful when it comes to your mental well-being, especially when done with friends, family members and other loved ones.

Some people may still have a preference to cook and eat alone. However, there are perks to inviting others over occasionally. From becoming more health-conscious to relieving stress, here are the benefits of social eating. 

1. Become More Intentional

There can be a certain dullness when planning meals for just yourself as time goes on. Some people may get takeout and call it a day, but it can be both physically and mentally unhealthy to fall into such a spiral. Social eating can help inspire you to be more intentional about your food. 

After all, you want to ensure that people around you eat well. About 29% of Britons hope for good health in their life, both for themselves and their families. Arrange more social eating sessions and curate a healthy menu.

2. Create a Sense of Fulfillment

Aside from building your intentions, you’re also creating a sense of fulfilment. Eating with a group brings out the warmth and flavours in your dishes a little more. It makes you stop and remember all the little things that make life worth living. 

Cooking together can also create the same impact, as people who engage in productive activities with others cultivate a sense of purpose and boost their mood. They even tend to live longer lives in the fullness of time. 

3. Build Connections With Others

People rely on each other in one way or another, but it can be challenging when your connections with your loved ones are weak. Most families only eat meals together four out of seven days a week, and friend groups can also get relatively busy.

Going out of your way to pencil in social eating can make a difference in your relationships. After all, you get to sit down, chat with one another and enjoy delicious food together. 

4. Promote Relaxation

Cooking can provide a sense of relaxation, as it provides a nice sensory experience. Whether it’s satisfyingly chopping the ingredients or smelling the aroma of a freshly baked dish, it can be quite a way to unwind after a long day.

Then there’s eating together with others. Sharing a delicious meal can help you take a break from whatever’s stressing you out. Others consider it an opportunity to confide in their companion and seek advice. 

5. Change Perspective on Food

Some people have a weird relationship with food,  which can seriously affect their mental health in the long run. Only one in five adults in the U.K. has a consistently healthy relationship with it. There’s also the matter of viewing cooking and eating as a difficult chore.

One of the key benefits of social eating is shifting your perspective on food. You get to see it as an avenue for spending time together with other people. With time and patience, you can mend your relationship with food and remove the guilt of consuming it. 

6. Mould Your Skills and Routines

Cooking with people can give you further drive to develop your skills in the kitchen. The more you work on your knowledge and techniques, the higher the sense of accomplishment you get. It all leads to courage and confidence to fortify your mental well-being. 

That activity and having meals with others can also build routines throughout the week. Knowing what to expect due to repetition can offer peace of mind and make you feel more in control. 

How to Cook and Eat Together More

With the mental health benefits of social eating in mind, the next question is how to arrange more meals with your loved ones. Follow these key tips to cook and eat together more. 

Make a Verbal Invitation

Clear communication is key when you want to normalise social eating. Verbally invite your family and friends to cook and eat with you instead of beating around the bush. Remember to be flexible with scheduling— for example, if people aren’t available for dinner, consider organising a brunch instead. 

Plan Delicious Dishes

Entice people to come over by planning delicious dishes. Chinese and Italian cuisines are the most popular ones across different countries, but you can take into consideration your guests’ favourite foods. Make room for a delightful dessert, as that’s something almost everybody will love. 

Learn New Recipes

Are you thinking of trying a daunting dish? Invite a friend and make the recipe together. Learning to cook can feel less scary when you have company in the kitchen. Plus, you can reassure each other about taking your time and finding the right technique. Feel free to explore and experiment with different ingredients, as well.

Make the Meals Memorable

Elevate your social eating session with a nice ambience. Bring out your nicest plates and cutlery to provide a quality dining experience. If it’s sunny outside, suggest bringing the food and dishware outdoors for a pseudo picnic. Play some calming music and take pictures of the meal and your loved one. 

Normalise Social Eating

There’s a certain beauty in cooking and eating alone, but there’s an undeniable warmth when doing it with others. You can bring generations together with food to enjoy the mental health benefits of social eating.