Studies on happiness have long shown that personal relationships are vital to our well-being. However, a specific activity—eating with loved ones—may play a key role in increasing our happiness. In 1938, scientists at Harvard University started a long-term study on happiness by following more than 1,300 people over 80 years. One of the most important findings from this research was the significant impact of personal relationships on both happiness and health. Robert Waldinger, director of the study and a professor at Harvard University, explained that while taking care of one's body is important, maintaining strong relationships is also a form of self-care. A key takeaway from this research is the value of shared experiences, particularly shared meals, which have been increasingly overlooked in modern life. The World Happiness Report, published annually for over a decade, has consistently highlighted the importance of social connections in shaping individual and national happiness levels across different cultures. Researchers have noted variations in how often people share meals, with some countries seeing most meals eaten together while others see most meals eaten alone. These differences are not fully explained by factors like income, education, or employment. In the United States, for instance, data from the American Time Use Survey shows that more Americans are eating alone. In 2023, about one in four Americans said they had eaten all their meals alone the previous day, a 53% increase since 2003. This trend is seen across all age groups, but it is especially noticeable among younger people, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. Eating with others, whether with family, friends, colleagues, or even casual acquaintances, is more than just a social activity. It can significantly influence overall life satisfaction. Research has found that shared meals are a strong indicator of happiness, comparable to factors like income and employment status. People who regularly eat with others report higher levels of life satisfaction and positive emotions, as well as lower levels of negative emotions. These findings are consistent across different ages, genders, countries, cultures, and regions. The ability of shared meals to improve well-being appears to be a universal phenomenon. According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, editor of the World Happiness Report and director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, there may be an optimal number of shared meals that contribute to well-being. He suggests that over seven days, the ideal number of shared lunches and dinners is 13 out of 14. This insight underscores the importance of maintaining regular social interactions through shared meals, even in a world where eating alone is becoming increasingly common.