People who have to see something while eating usually show these 7 behaviors (according to psychology)

If you eat when looking at a show, scroll social media or catch up with the latest viral videos, it is so often that it is easy to forget that this was not always the norm.

It is interesting how quickly some of us sat from sitting at the dining table – maybe chat with the family or only concentrated on the food in front of us – to need a screen in hand for each individual bite.

From a psychological point of view, it is worth asking: Why do some people have the need to consume media together with their meals?

And what is more important, what does this habit say about the underlying behaviors that drive you? Today I will examine seven behaviors that are usually connected to people who cannot accommodate a fork without pressing “game”.

Let us immerse yourself.

1. You are looking for constant stimulation

Have you ever had the urge to fill every quiet moment in your day with something – everything – just to avoid boredom?

If so, you will understand why some people cannot eat sandwich without playing the latest episode of their favorite series. It's about tracking stimulation around the clock.

The silence of a solo meal can feel worrying for these people. They are used to a constant influx of excitement and stories.

When the meal arrives, it is not just eating that you long for. It is also the mental energy that comes from pictures, noises and stories on a screen.

The problem is that this sometimes means that they are rarely present at the moment. Your attention is divided into the fork of pasta in the mouth and the drama, which unfolds on the screen.

I remember a weekend when I decided to completely undress – no phone, no laptop, no television. First sitting surreal to eat in silence, as my brain didn't know what to do if it wasn't multitasking.

But after the initial discomfort had passed, I noticed the flavors more lively and felt really relaxed. It is this contrast that emphasizes how strong the increase in stimulation can be and why it becomes a habit for so many.

2. They tend to do multitasking (but not always effective)

It is easy to assume that observing when eating is efficient multitasking: you can do lunch and this new Netflix series at the same time, right? Not exactly.

While these people love the feeling of multitasking, reality is that it is often more about separating attention than doing several tasks well.

Psychological research has repeatedly pointed out that multitasking can reduce the quality of attention that we pay for every activity. We only have as much cognitive bandwidth, and if we distribute it too thin, neither the food nor the show will receive full experience.

Nevertheless, the habit can be calming if you are convinced that you are “productive”.

A friend of mine swears that he cannot end dinner without also working by working. But every now and then he realizes that he had overlooked or overlooked something he didn't have or had overlooked a crucial detail in the message.

This little slip is a fairly strong memory of making two things into a productivity champion at the same time-on the contrary.

3. They use entertainment to combat stress

Food is soothing; So is entertainment. Put them together and after a long day it can feel like a double shot relief.

For many people, it becomes an emotional coping mechanism to watch something while eating. Stress, fear or concern are temporarily pushed aside by an appealing action or a funny stand-up special.

This is supported by experts like Rory Sutherland, who has found how small distractions can help to avert our focus of stressors. When you are deepened into a show, your mind wanders away from the problems of the day – at least for a while.

The disadvantage? Over time, this can become a “standard mode” to process, which makes it difficult to enjoy a meal without external input.

If you always rely on a screen to calm your nerves, you may not develop a healthier ways to deal with stress, such as: B. Mindful food, meditating or even chatting with a friend.

One day you suddenly cannot be able to turn off your fearful thoughts unless you have a phone or television in front of you.

4. You can be less aware of your food selection

Imagine this scenario: You are halfway in a 20-minute YouTube video. There is a bowl of snack in front of you.

Before you know it, look down and realize that you have devoured the whole thing. Sounds familiar? When our eyes and ears are glued to a screen, we tend to eat on autopilot.

Psychologists who study eating habits often talk about “mindful food” – that is, to pay attention to hunger instructions, to enjoy aromas and to recognize when they are actually full.

Constant screen observation during food can interfere with this process. Instead of enjoying the taste and texture of your meal, focus primarily on your show. It is a classic case of “Where did my meal go?” – A direct result of a shared attention.

I have already mentioned this, but excessive digital consumption can lead to senseless habits. We not only see it as we search for social media, but also in the way we deal with basic life activities such as food.

And although it is not naturally wrong to enjoy a favorite series for dinner, there is a difference between occasional entertainment and never the phone or tablet throughout the meal.

5. You can have difficulty being alone with your thoughts

For some of us, time alone can feel uncomfortable, especially in activities that traditionally contain little external stimulation – such as chewing of your lunch.

This discomfort can make people rely on entertainment as a buffer against their own thoughts.

If we sit quietly, we have been able to force ourselves to worry or have to face stressors that we have pushed away. By turning on a show, we keep these thoughts in chess.

However, experts suggest that learning to cope with a little loneliness can significantly strengthen emotional health. Being in order with our own thoughts is part of the development of self -confidence and emotional resilience.

I have a close girlfriend who always joked that she was afraid to hear her own inner voice. Over time, she started practicing short, careful breaks – no phone, no music, just a quiet walk or a soft lunch – and found that it drastically improved her fear.

However, it was a process because she realized how deep her habit was to need external noise.

6. They often prefer social connection, even if they are alone

Another fascinating aspect is how screens can feel like a stand-in for social interaction.

Even if you observe a fictional character, the human brain registers and faces as if someone else were in the room.

It can be a comfort, especially if you live alone or if your usual companions are not there.

Dale Carnegie wrote: “It has no sweet sound for someone's ear than the sound of her own name.” While this is true in the context of human interaction, it is also indicated how social we are naturally. We long for connection.

If you eat alone, pressing games in a show can imitate the warmth of another person's society – especially if the show contains conversations or laughter.

The challenge appears when it gets used to digital camaraderie so that the real human connection absorbs a back seat.

If you have yourself in a full house, but still cannot separate from your screen at the dining table, you can miss the personal interaction that is of crucial importance for maintaining deeper relationships.

7. They develop ritual habits at meals and screens

Last but not least, this habit can become a ritual – so deeply rooted in the fact that switching on the television or opening YouTube just before it in a sandwich feels almost ceremonial.

Over time, the pleasure in the brain combines the act of observing something with the act of eating. It's not just a random choice; It is a learned behavior that your mind and body expect.

If your routine is always to watch something while eating, you may feel light or irritated if the circumstances do not allow it (like a restaurant without WiFi).

This ritual can convey a feeling of comfort and predictability. However, it can also include them in a pattern in which they no longer appreciate the simple meal without external entertainment.

Canceling such a routine may feel impressive at first, but can lead to the inherent pleasure of a quiet or socially committed meal.

Put together everything

Regardless of whether it is Netflix, YouTube or the news feed of your phone, many of us have made media consumption an automatic side dish for our meals.

Here at DM News we understand the train – after that, the digital world is convincing and is only becoming more and more urgent. There is no judgment if you recognize that these behaviors exist. In fact, they are quite common at our hyper -connected age.

It is crucial to recognize the role that constant stimulation, multitasking, stress reduction, the senseless food, a dislike against loneliness and a desire for social connection – even if it is virtually – and play the power of habit in the design of this behavior.

By understanding psychological forces at work, we can make a more conscious decision whether we want to continue to combine entertainment with the food or whether we want to try a different approach from time to time.

If you are someone who always needs a screen in front of you to eat, think about what you make of it – and what you may miss.

Does it serve you well or do you feel separated from your food, your thoughts or people in your area? There is no uniform answer, but consciousness is a step towards a healthier balance.

After all, the quietest moments can sometimes teach us the most – about our food, our feelings and ourselves.