The holidays are often a time for joy, family, and delicious food. However, for many, the season can also bring stress, anxiety, and even conflict. The secret to a truly amazing Thanksgiving holiday has nothing to do with the perfect recipe or the ideal guest list. Instead, it lies in the power of our thoughts. By choosing to focus on gratitude and positivity, we can transform our experience of the holiday season, even in the face of challenging circumstances. This blog post will explore ten practical strategies to help you navigate the holidays with ease and enjoy a peaceful, fulfilling Thanksgiving.

1. Plan Boundaries with Conversations You Don’t Want to Have: Identify topics that tend to lead to arguments or stress, and decide in advance how you will handle them. This could involve politely changing the subject, excusing yourself, or simply not engaging in the conversation. Write out how you’ll respond and rehearse it with someone else who can back you up.
2. Plan 10 Minute Breaks: If you know you start to get overwhelmed or tired with holiday pressure, take a look at your calendar now and plan at least one 10 minute break in the midst of the chaos each day for the next week. Take a step away from the bustle and do a few minutes of grounding deep breathing. 
3. Drop the Expectations (Science Says): Studies found that when something good happens, if you set a high expectation for it (even if it went exactly as you wanted to), your brain releases LESS dopamine than if you set a low or no expectation! So allow the “I’m running lates,” burned food, Pintrest fails, and messy kitchens. Remember that people are imperfect, and things may not go exactly as planned.
4. Schedule to Recharge Self-Care: In your calendar, I want you to find 2 hours in the next week and a half and block them off for YOU. We all need time to recharge our battery so we can be our best selves, otherwise we get run down- and during the holidays, that’s the least fun. Make time for yourself to relax and recharge. This could include taking a bath, reading a book, or going for a walk.
5. Limit Your Time With Those People: If you know that you will be spending time with people who tend to stress you out, limit your time with them. Plan when you’ll arrive and leave, and have a code word for signaling it’s time to go to anyone you’re commuting with. 
6. Don’t Try to Control Everything: Let go of the need to control everything. Remember that you can’t control other people’s behavior, only your own. Try focusing on this mantra: “I am focusing on things only within my control.” That mostly means your thoughts! 
7. Don’t Minimize the Positive: When we minimize the positive, we often magnify the negative. If you have any of these thigns: good food, safe shelter, and a community, that’s an incredible amount of positivity going on in your life. Try to stay focused on the positive aspects of the holiday. 
8. Make a Gratitude Jar: Each day, take a moment to write down 3 things you’re grateful for. Then, on Thanksgiving, open the jar and read them aloud. Sometimes we get so caught up in the swing of life that we even forget the things that are meaningful to us. Taking time to reflect on them can help you to feel more positive and less stressed.
9. Seek the Support You Deserve: If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to a friend, family member, or therapist. You and your mental health are the most important thing. Take time to tend to them and get valuable support, because you deserve all of the happiness in the world. 
10. Remember That You Are Not Alone: Many people experience stress during the holidays. You are not alone in this. Reddit is a fascinating place where people support each other, such as on r/MomForAMinute, r/DadForAMinute, r/stopdrinking, r/casualconversation, r/CongratsLikeImFive

#thanksgiving #coping #stressmanagement #gratitude #boundaries