Even when our lives seem impossibly busy, we should always stop to enjoy a meal at the dinner table. Family dinners are an important time to catch up with everyone in your household, and they have numerous benefits for both children and adults. Anne Fishel, executive director of the Family Dinner Project, says, "Kids who grow up having family dinners, when they're on their own tend to eat more healthily and to have lower rates of obesity." She continues, "Then the mental health benefits are just incredible. Regular family dinners are associated with lower rates of depression, and anxiety ... and higher rates of resilience and higher self-esteem" (via Harvard). 

Whether you dine alone or with a partner, roommates, or a large family, your dining table can affect your life. Dining tables do more than serve a functional purpose; they also influence us through their shape, according to feng shui. The dining table can symbolize a lot about your prosperity, relationships, and communication, so which kind of dining table should you choose to promote healthy interactions at your home? These are the best and worst dining room table shapes according to feng shui. 

When in doubt, curved lines are generally better for feng shui, so a round dining table makes sense. Round tables promote a sense of equality and empathy between diners, where no one person is stronger or better than another. Even for folks who aren't so interested in feng shui-ing their home, a round dining table has some surprising social benefits. Round tables have been shown to help offices bring ideas full circle, promoting collaboration and teamwork between coworkers. Round tables also fend off loneliness and create a sense of intimacy; less elbow room means you have to get closer to your neighbors and learn to negotiate both physical and mental space. For large households, an oval dining table is also acceptable in feng shui.

Square tables are next in line because they still create equality between diners, but their sharp angles aren't ideal for cooperation. Finally, rectangular tables are the worst option for improving feng shui. Rectangular tables have a "head" that signifies a power position. While this might work for meeting rooms where the boss is in charge, a rectangular arrangement can generate hostility in your home, putting other diners in a defensive or competitive mood. If you have no choice but to go with a rectangular or square dining table, try to opt for one with rounded edges and corners. More rounded pieces will protect you from "poison arrows," negative energy that shoots out from sharp angles.

With that being said, make sure that your table is big enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Fighting over flatware and knocking over glasses is never a great way to start and end the day. Avoid positioning your table against a wall or between two entryways, as this can block social connections and send positive energy escaping out the door. Instead, set the table in the middle of the room, avoid placing anyone's back to the doorway, and use smaller chairs if you need to create space. 

Aside from table shape and placement, material and color are some other important feng shui elements. Wood is the best dining table material because it promotes a sense of grounding and security, great attributes to have while you're spending quality time with family. If you prefer something with a little more color, consider choosing a table that corresponds with the direction of your dining room. For example, a northern dining room should have a black or blue dining table, while a western dining room should have a white, silver, or gold table. Green is another solid color to incorporate in your dining space, representing family, health, and wealth.