In this period of uncertainty, a sense of normalcy can be crucial to center one's day. For families whose schedules vary from schoolwork to conference calls, family dinner can be a uniform time of day where each member can connect and regroup. Besides the sense of community it brings, time at the dinner table can have lasting effects from a family health care standpoint. Here's how this daily event can positively impact a family unit. 

How Family Dinners Help With Overall Well-Being

1. Build Relationships

Family meals offer a designated time in the day for parents and children to congregate and bond. This routine can be particularly essential during this extended period of work-from-home; though family members may be in the same physical place, it can feel like they're rarely actually together. Dinners together at the table allow families to decompress, catch up on the day, and build stronger collective and individual relationships.

2. Set a Standard

Parents have a particular opportunity at the dinner table to set an example for their children. Kids can acquire life skills like healthy eating and table manners by following their mom and dad's lead during family meals. The engagement of older family members also can result in children avoiding high-risk behaviors like substance use, violence, and psychological problems long term. 

3. Offer More Balanced Meals

When eating together as a family, the set meal often is a more balanced one. A Harvard study found that sharing a meal at the dinner table makes families twice as likely to eat their allotted five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Research also shows that they combat obesity, a common family health care issue, because people tend to eat less and talk more. Especially during this extended time at home, which quickly can turn into an hourly stop at the pantry, a balanced meal can go a long way in one's overall health.

In Onamia, MN, families turn to the medical providers at Mille Lacs Health System for top quality family health care. Their network of facilities supports your health at every life stage—from urgent care to surgical services, outpatient therapy, and elderly care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, they can assure your family stays safe with flu shots, coronavirus testing, and more. For more information about how their providers can help you live a healthier life, visit their website, or call (320) 532-3154 today.