Frequent Family Meals Improve Teen School Performance, Decrease Drug and Alcohol Use
Teens who eat dinner with their family 5-7 times per week do better in school and are less involved in drugs and alcohol, states research studies. THree simple steps to create the space that invites your family to relax and connect at dinner time.
Arlington, MA (PRWEB) September 14, 2005 — Many studies demonstrate that children and teens who eat 5-7 meals per week with their families benefit in many areas of their life. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, names Monday, September 26th “A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.” “But many modern homes do not offer a place where families can really gather at mealtime,” states Linda Varone of Arlington-based Nurturing Spaces. “0,000 gourmet kitchens do not necessarily offer comfortable sitting and eating areas. The traditional kitchen table has been replaced by elevated seating around a counter or kitchen island. This leads to ‘eat and run. We have inadvertently brought fast food settings into our homes.”
Simply being together and sharing food is most important. Creating a space for relaxing and talking over a meal is a simple and yet powerful way to make the most of these family times” says Varone.
Varone offers 8 easy ways to arrange your home to support family meal times. Here are 3 simple steps:
1. Re-establish the family table. Sitting around a table is the most favored seating arrangement among people tested. While sitting in a row, such as at a counter, is the least favored seating arrangement. If your family is comfortable they will linger.
2. Bring your family together using light. Human beings, like plants, are drawn to light. Create a gathering place with incandescent pendant lighting over the family table (fluorescent or recessed ceiling lighting does not have the same effect). You will have pools of warm light that will literally draw people together.
3. Revive or create family meal time traditions. At the start of a meal ring a chime, light candles, say grace or hold hands during a silent moment. Rituals strengthen family bonds.
Use the insights of architectural psychology to make your home the place for real family connection at meal times, at little or no cost. If you create the space, they will come.
Linda Varone, RN, MA, CFS of Nurturing Spaces has 14 years of experience combining architectural psychology, interior design, and feng shui to help her clients create homes and offices that support their lifestyles and life goals.
For more information contact
Nurturing Spaces at 781-643-8697
website at http://www.LindaVarone.com
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