Feb 28, 2024| Kate WinterFood is biological, necessary for survival, but it is also fundamentally social. Eating has evolved to serve more than the sole purpose of fueling our bodies. Eating with others is an act of socializing, which is why it has coined the term, “social dining.” Social Dining not only helps you slow down for a moment in your busy life, but also benefits your mental health.Social Dining Helps You Slow Down & EnjoyLife is hectic, and it can be easy to neglect our social life when our weeks are filled with working, running errands, and taking care of others.. Sometimes we just need that extra push to slow down from everyday life. This is why social dining is so important. It allows you to take time to enjoy the simplicity of a meal with casual conversation. Allocating an hour per week to social dining will allow you to savor your meal without rushing, have time away from phone and computer screens, the ability to converse about lighthearted topics, and time to connect with other individuals.Social Dining Benefits Mental HealthA survey by the American Heart Association found that 84% of adults wish they would share a meal with others more often. Why? Well, according to a study by Oxford University in 2017, people who eat socially are more likely to “feel happy” and “satisfied with their lives.” Social dining is even associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in adolescents. It is more than just a time to fulfill hunger. It is a time to connect with someone, have conversations, and temporarily step away from daily stressors.Dineships Makes Social Dining EasyThe bottom line is that social dining is good for us! It benefits our mental health, builds connections, and increases happiness. However, sometimes it can be complicated to dine with friends. Maybe your schedules don’t align, you moved to a new city, you are traveling, or you simply want a new friend to dine with. Luckily, Dineships has the solution. Download the app today to get your social dining on!