Want to Boost Your Happiness? The Secret Might Be as Simple as Sharing a Meal

The World Happiness Report, a valuable study that examines global wellbeing, has long highlighted the importance of social connections as key drivers of happiness. For over a decade, this research has shown that our relationships with others—whether family, friends, or even acquaintances—are essential to our health and happiness. But this year, the report delves deeper into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of social connections: sharing meals.

While the idea of sharing a meal may seem simple, it turns out that this act is not only deeply ingrained in human culture, but also closely tied to greater happiness. The 2023 World Happiness Report, in collaboration with Gallup, uncovered some compelling new evidence. They found that sharing meals is just as strong an indicator of happiness as traditional factors like income or employment. That’s right—where and with whom you eat can significantly affect your overall sense of wellbeing.

The findings come from data collected across 142 countries and territories in 2022 and 2023. Interestingly, the rates of meal sharing varied widely across regions. In Latin America, for example, people are more likely to share nearly all their meals with others, while in places like Japan and South Korea, dining alone is far more common. Despite these differences, one thing remains clear: people who share more meals with others report higher life satisfaction, more positive emotions, and lower negative feelings.

The U.S. presents a particularly striking contrast. Data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) revealed that in 2023, 1 in 4 Americans reported eating all their meals alone, marking a 53% increase since 2003. The rise in dining alone is especially noticeable among younger people, which raises important questions about how these shifts in social behavior affect mental health. The report’s findings suggest that this trend toward solitary dining could be contributing to a decline in overall happiness in the U.S.

So why does sharing meals have such a powerful impact on happiness? Well, it seems that eating with others is not just about food—it’s about connection. The report found that in countries where people share more meals, there are also higher levels of social support and lower levels of loneliness. This suggests that the act of sharing a meal may foster a sense of community, belonging, and emotional support. It’s not just about breaking bread—it’s about strengthening the bonds that make us feel connected to others.

In fact, meal sharing appears to be strongly tied to lower levels of negative emotions like sadness and stress, and a higher likelihood of experiencing positive emotions like joy and happiness. This connection is particularly strong among younger people, although older adults also benefit from dining with others. Interestingly, while meal sharing plays a key role in positive emotions, it is not as strongly linked to other social behaviors like trust and altruism, which raises some intriguing questions about the nature of social connections and wellbeing. Does sharing meals create trust, or does it simply reflect pre-existing social bonds? The answer remains unclear, but the evidence points to the fact that meal sharing is deeply tied to emotional and social wellbeing.

The report’s findings have significant implications for public policy. The importance of social connections has been well-established, but encouraging people to share meals with others could be a simple, effective way to promote greater happiness and wellbeing. Programs like “Project Gather” in the U.S., which encourage shared meals to strengthen community ties, have shown positive results. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, has eloquently stated, “When we gather with others around food, we not only feed our bodies but also nourish our spirits.” This statement encapsulates the profound impact that shared meals can have on both our social and emotional health.

The World Happiness Report’s exploration of meal sharing offers a fresh perspective on what it means to live a happy, fulfilling life. It turns out that something as simple as sharing a meal with others can have far-reaching effects on our wellbeing. So, the next time you sit down to eat, consider the power of sharing that meal with someone else—it might just be one of the simplest ways to boost your happiness and strengthen your social connections.