Modern family life usually moves fast. Settling in for a shared meal can be a time to connect and share the day’s events. It turns out a meal can be more than just relaxing.

A recent study by the American Heart Association has found that the vast majority of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed — a full 84% — want to share a meal with loved ones more often. And nearly all of the parents participating in the study reported lower stress levels in their family when they bond over a meal.

The study’s authors note that sharing a meal can deliver a host of benefits, including a reduction in stress, a self-esteem boost for kids and improved social connections.

Sharing a meal can be more than habit or ritual. More than two-thirds of the people in the study said eating together reminds them of the importance of connecting with other people.

Eating together also helps foster healthier dietary habits. While people in the study reported eating alone about half of the time, nearly 60% said they were likely to eat better when others are present.

Aligning meal schedules with busy friends and family can be a challenge, so the experts advise starting small: Set a goal to gather family, friends or co-workers for one additional meal a week. If it can’t be done in person, think outside the box. Sharing a meal over the phone or computer isn’t the same as gathering around a table but it can also be a decent substitute for dining alone.

And it’s not just good practice at home. Nearly 70% of people in the study said they would feel less stressed at work if they had more time to share a meal with a colleague.

It’s a simple recipe for warding off stress: Eat together. Eat better. Feel better.