Chronic and ongoing stress can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke over the course of a person’s lifetime, but a recent American Heart Association poll found that regularly sharing meals with others may be a simple way to reduce stress.
The vast majority (84%) of the 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed nationwide in September 2022 for the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good movement by Wakefield Research say they wish they could share a meal with loved ones more frequently, and almost all parents report that their family is less stressed when they regularly connect over a meal.
The American Heart Association wants to make family supper a bit easier and to help people reap the advantages for their hearts, minds, and bodies.
According to Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S., an American Heart Association volunteer, associate director of preventive cardiology at Johns Hopkins, and co-author of the organization’s statement on psychological health, well-being, and the mind-heart-body connection, sharing meals with others is a great way to lower stress, increase self-esteem, and improve social connection, especially for children. “Finding techniques to decrease and manage stress as much as possible, as quickly as possible, is vital for people since chronic, ongoing stress can also raise your lifetime risk of heart disease and stroke.”
Beyond reducing stress, connecting with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbours has many positive effects. In fact, the survey discovered that 67% of respondents think sharing a meal with others serves as a reminder of the value of interacting with others. Those surveyed say they are more likely (59 per cent) to make healthier food choices when eating with other people but have difficulty aligning schedules with their friends or family to do so, according to the survey. Overall, respondents reported eating alone about half of the time.
“We are aware that getting people to eat together is not always as simple as it may seem. Give yourself permission to begin small and grow upon it, just like with other healthy habits “added Michos. “Set a goal to share one additional meal with friends, family, or coworkers each week. If you are unable to meet in person, consider how you might be able to share a meal through phone or internet.”
According to the poll conducted by the American Heart Association, 65% of adults report having some level of stress, and 27% report having severe or very high levels of stress. 70% of survey participants who have a full-time or part-time job stated they would feel less stressed.