Remember when family dinners were full of conversation and laughter? Not so much anymore. A new survey of parents found that a third of families now eat in total silence. No talking at all. And for a lot of families, just getting everyone to the table is a challenge.
- 40% parents say they don’t eat dinner at the same time as their kids most nights.
- And one in 10 never eat dinner with their family at all.
Even when families do sit down together, distractions take over. Nearly half of respondents said they’re on their phones during dinner, and more than 1 in 5 would rather watch TV than talk.
So why the silence? Besides phones and TV – 30% of parents say they simply don’t know what to talk about with their kids.
But psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos says dinnertime conversation is crucial. It helps kids build social skills, boosts their confidence, and even improves their grades. Kids also eat healthier when they eat with their families.
So if you want a happier, more connected family, start by putting the phones down and turning up the conversation.
Does city living have your brain feeling fried?
When participants were around greenery and birds, their mood improved significantly — and those benefits lasted for hours.
You cry the second you walk through the door
You pick a fight with your partner over nothing
You hit the drive-through for a comfort meal
You snap at your kids or roommates over something small
Take small breaks during the day
Create a wind-down ritual
Move your body
LTP is the process that helps us learn better and remember more clearly.
But when we’re stressed for too long, LTP slows down — and memory suffers.
Psychologists say that when you write about your feelings, you’re literally offloading your stress onto paper.
A study from the University of Texas found that people who journal regularly:
Greater creativity
Fewer negative thoughts
Improved emotional regulation
