Stress is a pretty normal part of life. But with Thanksgiving this week and the holiday season approaching soon after, many people experience additional seasonal pressures on top of their daily stressors.
Indeed, a recent study asked over 2,000 Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving about their thoughts and feelings about the upcoming holiday and found that 53% think that stress will double this year compared to others.
To help manage stress related to the holidays, we share three tips you can put into practice this week right alongside carving your turkey.
1. Control what you can
If you are hosting, planning ahead to develop a schedule and asking for help can reduce stress before, during, and after the holiday.
- Choose a time for guest to arrive that works for you and your family. If you are in charge of the timing, it will help manage the flow of your day and reduce frustration.
- Communicate clearly what you expect of your guests, if anything, in terms of Covid-19 mitigation. Will attendants need to be vaccinated? Wear masks? Test beforehand? Being clear up front will set expectations and minimize confusion and avoid potential conflict.
- Arrange table seating to minimize tension among any friends or family who don’t get along.
- As for help. Enlist others to help you ready your home, prepare the meal, and clean up.
2. Plan for a break
If you are experiencing anticipatory stress before the gathering, plan to cope ahead with:
- Deep breathing or meditation.
- Taking a break with a puzzle, craft, or other enjoyable activity.
- Setting up a therapy appointment.
3. Notice the Positive
If you are feeling similarly to the over 50% of people surveyed in the study above, it may help to focus on the positive aspects of Thanksgiving and the holiday season this year. Taking time to acknowledge what you are grateful for has many benefits:
- Reduces stress
- Enhances empathy
- Increases self esteem
- Improves relationships
- Improves physical health
For more tips on managing holiday stress, we also invite you to read how to set boundaries this holiday season.
From all of us here at CBT Westport, we wish all of those that celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful to be able to share useful information on mental health and wellness with our community of readers.