Meditation is one of my favorite methods for relieving stress, and eating alone can certainly help you clear your mind of all distractions. Eating with your friend, roommate, co-worker, or even your own family can be draining. After a tiring day of both school and work, the last thing I want to hear is not why my dining companion is having a crisis nor do I care to hear why the latest single by Avril Lavigne is repetitive. What ever happened to the maxim, "ignorance is bliss?" Taking that 15-minute lunch break to clear your mind, you would be surprised at how more effectively you could concentrate on matters that really are important.
Speaking of distractions, unless you are a doctor and your name is not Gregory House, do yourself a huge favor and turn that cellphone or pager off. If you can't spare ten minutes for yourself, how do you expect to spare your precious time for others?
Maybe something is really bugging you, whether it's a mind-boggling math problem, an awful word block with that English paper you must complete, or something as simple as that last word on the crossword puzzle(or perhaps not as simple, but I digress..). If you are the type that absolutely must finish work before leisure time, why not enjoy that cheese steak over your work? Now, the danger of this is overworking yourself. Remember that everybody needs a break sometime.
Personally, I feel that food is a delicacy that must be enjoyed without any kind of stress at all. Thus, to enjoy eating alone, one must believe in the benefits of this art. If you are sitting down with that cheeseburger, you better be thinking about the cheesy, beefy taste of your delicious meal (sorry cows); do not even worry what everyone else thinks of you. Trust me on this. They are way too busy thinking about their own matters and their conversations to even notice you. Even if they do start to stare at you, think of it not as a criticism, but as a compliment. Which would you rather be: the slave imprisoned by a social code, or the radical guy who doesn't give a flip about it? The latter has something very precious... He is different from the rest. No, I am not saying that being a social outcast is bad, but do not be afraid to venture into the unknown.
Lastly, I will go over recommended places to dine solo. Of course, eating at home is always nice. Even if you' cannot cook, salad, canned goods, and even sandwiches are tasty fare. Fast food restaurants are also good with their fast service, but try not to indulge too much here. Take care of your body as you only have one. From here, it is hard to recommend specific restaurants. Just be aware that many restaurants do not pay good attention to one-seaters, since most restaurants do not haves solo-friendly seats; they have two-seating tables.
Many working-class people, warriors, businessmen, and travelers have had to master this great art. I am pleased to pass on my knowledge of eating alone. Eating is a wonderful, beautiful aspect of life. If you have not yet experienced the joys of eating by yourself, I highly recommend it. You will not know if the grass is greener on the other side if you do not look for yourself...
