Did you know that one in four Americans ate every meal alone yesterday? Yeah, that stat totally stopped us in our tracks! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating findings from the latest World Happiness Report, which reveals a magic number for happiness tied to shared meals. Just one meal a week with someone else can boost your happiness, and the feel-good vibes keep getting better—up to about 13 meals, after which the benefits start to level off. We talk about how these shared moments aren’t just about the food; they’re about connection, friendship, and taking a breather from the chaos of life. So, how many meals did you share this week? If the answer is zero, we’ve got some ideas for who you could invite to lunch!

Takeaways:

• One in four Americans dined solo yesterday, which is a shocking 50% increase over 20 years.
• Sharing just one meal a week can significantly boost your happiness levels, according to research.
• The joy of shared meals peaks around 13 gatherings, after which the happiness benefit starts to fade.
• Modern independence can sometimes lead to isolation, as we drift from friends and family.
• The act of sharing meals goes beyond food; it's about connection, pausing, and sharing stories together.
• So, take a moment to reflect: How many meals did you share this week?

Links referenced in this episode:

• jamesbrowntv.substack.com

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