The Mental Health Foundation is urging families and friends to eat together more - as it can help towards our mental health.

Their call is timed to mark World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October. Their new "Make a Meal of it" survey into the UK population's cooking and mealtime habits shows that sharing a meal is good for our minds as well as our bodies.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: "Getting together to prepare and share food with good company can provide social and psychological benefits that are positive for a person's mental health.

"Mealtimes are important because they provide an excellent opportunity for people to socialise and connect, to share anxieties, have them listened to and hear other perspectives."

The survey highlights the psychological, social and biological benefits of mealtimes:

Psychological: Regular shared mealtimes provide a sense of rhythm and regularity. They offer a sense of containment and familiarity, and can evoke deep feelings of contentment and security. 

Humans need structure and routine, and mealtimes offer people the opportunity to stop, to stand still psychologically, to reflect on their day and days ahead, to listen to and interact with others. Mealtimes are also grounding, a time when anxieties can be expressed and shared with others.

Social: Sharing meals helps to develop social skills in children and adults. 
They provide an opportunity where people can learn to listen, learn and reinforce individual identity: who he/she is, where does he/she belong or which his/her role might be. And above all, mealtimes make people feel connected to others.

Biological: Regular mealtimes are good biologically. They provide rhythm and make us stop and focus on eating in upright chairs which improves digestion. The act of talking and listening also slows down the eating process.

Sadly, for the many mature people who are isolated through divorce, separation or bereavement, sharing meals can be a rare occasion. The 'Make a Meal of it' survey hopes to help focus attention on the problem.

For more information visit the Mental Health Foundation's website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Relevant links

• Mental Health Foundation (Opens a new window)