Couples Who Eat Together Could Stay Forever, Study Finds

Rebecca Lewis September 09, 2015

All of us are constantly looking for ways to improve our relationship. And you probably know that among the most important factors of a strong relationship are communication, respect and honesty. But there’s another way that scientists suggest which doesn’t require too much of a hard work. The trick is super easy: have breakfast together.

According to a study by Dutch and Canadian psychologists, the simple act of eating a meal together may be all it takes to bring a couple to an emotionally better place.

The study involved nearly 100 30-something adults whose social interactions were recorded for at least five minutes in the course of three weeks. Said interactions were either via phone, internet chats, or in-person. Then, participants rated their interactions based on three things: interpersonal behaviour, their perceptions about their partners, and their mood. They also described what they did, and whether the interaction took place over a meal.

The participants didn’t rate the quality of their intimate relationship with their partners. Basically, the survey questions were a one-size-fits-all measure that can be applied to any social interaction, whether it’s with their partners or with a complete stranger. But the questions on affiliation and mood were determinants of the participants’ relationship with their intimate partners.

The findings revealed that across all meal-sharing conditions, the participants were pleasant, and less dominant and submissive when they are interacting over a meal with their partners, compared to all other social interactions. The study also showed that even a five-minute meal can help a couple make a more a more filling, and fulfilling, relationship.

Not only does it promote better interaction among couples, but having a meal together also boosted the interaction between friends, family members, and people at work. Among couples though, having dinner together has more profound impact to their relationship than breakfast or lunch. Even before, experts were advising parents to have dinner together with kids to benefit their mental health.

Source of this article: The One, Easy Way to Improve your Relationship