The return of family mealtimes

FAMILY meals have become more popular during the pandemic.

Preparing and sitting down to dinner offers reassurance and a comforting anchor, research suggests.

About 40 per cent of people talk more with their family or partner at mealtimes than they did previously.

While 35 per cent laughed more together at the dinner table, the survey by Hotpoint suggests.

Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings said: “In a time where our lives have been turned upside down, and anxiety has never been far from our thoughts, it has been important to find an alternative routine that provides us with distraction and reassurance.”