The Power of Shared Meals: A New Study Shows How Eating Together Boosts Happiness

March 20, 2025, marked World Happiness Day and the release of a groundbreaking research study about family meals. This study, which analyzed data from the Gallup World Poll and the American Time Use Survey, is the first global survey to explore how often people share meals and how this affects their happiness and well-being. 

The results were clear: eating together is strongly linked to increased happiness, and unfortunately, Americans are eating together less than ever before.

The study revealed that in 2023, one in four Americans ate all of their meals alone the previous day. This is a 53% increase from 2003. Over the past 20 years, people in all age groups have been eating solo more often, but the biggest change has occurred among young people. Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are now eating alone nearly 180% more frequently than they did two decades ago.

While this is concerning, there is some good news: the research also highlights that eating with others is a simple, accessible way to boost happiness. 

The study tracked happiness indicators across 142 countries and adjusted for factors like income, age, education, and employment. The findings showed that the most significant factor influencing happiness and life satisfaction was the frequency of shared meals. 

In fact, the impact of eating together was as strong as factors like income level or employment status. Regardless of a person’s background, eating with others regularly led to greater life satisfaction, less negative feelings, and a more positive outlook on life.

The study offers several key insights into the power of shared meals:

1. 13 Meals Per Week is the Sweet Spot: The research found that people who shared meals about 13 times per week reported the greatest increase in happiness. While the study focused on lunch and dinner, any meal—including breakfast or even a shared snack—can offer the same benefits. Even if it’s difficult to meet the ideal 13 meals, the study found that eating together just once a week still led to increased well-being. For those who shared 5-8 meals per week, the boost to happiness was even more significant.
2. Teens and Young Adults Benefit the Most: One of the standout findings was that young people, especially those between 16 and 24, experienced a more noticeable increase in happiness and mood improvements from shared meals than older age groups. However, every age group benefited from eating more meals with others.
3. Even One Meal a Day Makes a Difference: The research showed that simply eating one meal with someone else per day can have a positive impact. Americans who shared at least one meal a day with others reported greater happiness, less stress, and fewer feelings of sadness. They also reported feeling less tired on days they ate with others. This suggests that even small changes in our meal habits can improve our emotional well-being.
4. It’s Not Just About Technology: The rise of smartphones and social media has been blamed for increasing social isolation, but the researchers found no clear connection between these technologies and the decline in shared meals. People started eating alone more frequently before the rise of social media and smartphones, and the trend has continued steadily without a clear connection to tech use. However, while technology might not be the root cause, it can contribute to distraction and isolation, so it’s worth considering how we use our phones during meal times.

The biggest takeaway from this research is that shared meals are a powerful tool for improving mental health and well-being. 

For years, studies have shown that family dinners are important, but this new research strengthens the link between eating together and happiness. The good news is that this is something we can all take action on right away. 

You don’t need to wait for special occasions to share meals with friends and family. Just increasing the number of shared meals in your routine could lead to a happier, more satisfying life.

So, starting today, why not make an effort to share more meals with the people around you? Whether it’s one more meal per week or trying to eat together more often, you’ll likely notice a boost in your mood and well-being.

Written by David L. Burton

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