Mental Health Tips to Have a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

You deserve a stress-free Thanksgiving! Get ready to enjoy this season with these mental health tips to help manage stress and anxiety. Learn how to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere for your loved ones this holiday.

Quick facts: Mental Health Tips For Thanksgiving

• ✅ Over 20 million people in the United States suffer from a mental health disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
• ✅ Over 40 million Americans experience mental health symptoms resulting in impaired relationships, reduced productivity and other significant life consequences, according to Mental Health America.
• ✅ According to the American Psychological Association, more than 50 percent of Americans report that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on their mental health.
• ✅ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 1 in 4 adults aged 18 to 24 have experienced a mental health disorder during the pandemic.
• ✅ Mental Health America suggests that Thanksgiving is a great time to practice self-care by engaging in activities such as physical activity, expressing gratitude, and spending time with friends and family.

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Mental Health Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the things we appreciate in our lives and to spend quality time with loved ones. It can also be a stressful period due to the family gatherings, often-chaotic holiday atmosphere, and changes in eating or sleeping habits.

To ensure you have a stress-free and mentally healthy Thanksgiving, it’s important to practice self-care and create an environment of support. Here are some simple tips you can use to help manage your emotional wellbeing during the holiday season:

• Start a gratitude journal – Take some time each day this month to write down what you are thankful for. Reflecting on the positive moments that life brings can help you stay grounded in your current reality.
• Set limits on your expectations – Don’t expect every element of your Thanksgiving gathering to run smoothly, whether it’s with guests showing up late or food not being cooked perfectly. Aim for realism rather than perfectionism!
• Find ways to help – Serving others by cooking meals, donating items or volunteering is an excellent way of dealing with difficult emotions.
• Balance leisure time with structure – Even if you don’t have any major plans for Turkey Day, try planning out each hour (or day) with specific activities such as taking a walk around the block or watching movies at home. This helps create structure in times of uncertainty and boosts feelings of productivity and accomplishment.

By taking care of yourself mentally during Thanksgiving, you can enjoy the holidays without feeling overwhelmed by stress or worry!

Make a plan

Making a plan is an important tip to improving mental wellbeing. When you have a plan, it allows you to take control and feel empowered. Taking control of your schedule, activities and emotions can help reduce stress and anxiety.

This can also help to prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by all the activities associated with Thanksgiving such as shopping, cooking, entertaining, and so on.

Additionally, having a plan can help you stay focused on your goals for the holiday season. This will allow you to be mindful of what is important and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the details.

Make sure that your plans are realistic, realistic timelines for each task may help reduce stress in the long run. Finally, allow yourself some room for flexibility in case something unexpected comes up!

Set boundaries

Setting boundaries is a key factor when it comes to checking in with your child. When you set boundaries, you are creating space and an agreement that should not be crossed. In the case of checking in with your child, these boundaries allow them to feel comfortable and secure, while also giving you the ability to gently check in and ask how they’re doing.

When setting boundaries, make sure that your child feels comfortable and free from any kind of judgement or interference. You want them to know that their emotions are valid and should be treated with respect. Make sure you emphasize that your goal is for them to have a stress-free Thanksgiving holiday—not for you to have all of the answers or solve their problems. Additionally, ensure that regardless of their answer you will still love and support them unconditionally.

Find a routine and schedule breaks

Finding a routine and scheduling breaks is an important tip on how to have a stress-free Thanksgiving. Routines can become incredibly helpful during the holiday season, as it provides a sense of consistency and control. A routine can help prioritize tasks and make them manageable, allowing you to achieve more in less time.

In order to keep the stress levels low, be sure to take regular breaks throughout the day. Even if it’s for five minutes at a time, these small moments will restore some balance so you don’t get too overwhelmed. Additionally, scheduling special activities like leisurely walks or reading sessions during your breaks can also help you relax and destress.

Following a routine is an important step in managing your mental health during Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Embrace the difference

This Thanksgiving season, take the time to embrace the differences between you and your family. This may include different political beliefs, lifestyles, or opinions. It is important to be mindful of these boundaries to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and healthy conversation. Mindfulness can help you realize when conversations have become too charged, allowing you to redirect and focus on what you are thankful for.

Also consider being a little more flexible with traditions. If in-person gatherings are not an option for your family this year, consider exploring other ways to virtually connect with each other. Remember that although things may look differently this holiday season, it’s okay if traditions change from year to year; that is what makes the holidays so special!

Take a risk and connect if you are feeling lonely

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and loved ones to come together and create lasting memories. However, for some, it can also be a time of loneliness or isolation that can lead to mental health struggles. To cope with this feeling of disconnection, it is important to take risks and reach out to others if you are feeling lonely.

Connecting with family or friends through social media can help prevent feelings of loneliness from taking hold and help you open genuine conversations that may help break the isolation barrier.

Social media is an excellent way to stay connected with people near and far while providing an outlet to share your thoughts and experiences. It is important to take breaks from the device so as not to become overwhelmed by overstimulation. Taking short breaks throughout the day can be beneficial in maintaining emotional wellbeing while still allowing you to stay connected with those around you.

Do at least one thing to improve your sleep this season

Having adequate, restful sleep plays an important role in emotional wellbeing and mental health. During the holiday season it can be especially hard to keep quality sleep. Stressful tasks such as travel and attending social events can create restlessness that makes it difficult to get good sleep.

To make sure you are getting the rest your body needs, take a few steps this Thanksgiving season to promote better sleep:

• Invest in noise cancelling headphones
• Do away with caffeine close to bedtime
• Set a regular bedtime schedule for yourself
• Try yoga and reading before bedtime
• Listen to calming podcasts and music

Whatever works for you will help ensure you get adequate rest this season so that you don’t experience the repercussions of poor sleep.

Find a balance between being with others and being alone

Maintaining a good balance between being with people and having alone time is critical for managing mental health and on-the-job performance. Being with others is important because it can help to reduce stress, promote social support, and build connections. On the other hand, taking time to be by yourself can allow you to recharge and reflect on your personal goals. Finding the right balance between the two helps create a healthy work-life balance that is essential for maintaining mental health at work.

Additionally, it helps you stay focused and productive when working on tasks.

To find a good balance between being with others and being alone during Thanksgiving, try carving out time during the day to be by yourself. Take walks, practice yoga or meditation, read books or watch movies – all of these activities can help you relax and recenter before reconnecting with your loved ones later in the day. Allowing yourself this “me” time will help regulate your emotions in order to maintain a positive mental state at work throughout the holiday season.

Find the choices within the obligations (assuming you can’t avoid them entirely)

Finding a balance between obligatory obligations and personal choices can be difficult. If the holidays usually bring stress, anxiety and possible depression it may be a good idea to focus on the choices you can make rather than being burdened by the obligations. Taking control of your mental health is important so that you don’t let emotions overwhelm you.

When making decisions during Thanksgiving, consider how it will affect your physical health. For example, if energy levels are already low, try to opt for less strenuous activities such as board games or watching movies with family members instead of more energy-intensive activities like hiking or biking.

Making healthy food choices is also important for physical well-being. Choose organic and local foods that are in season over unhealthy processed options. Make an effort to maintain healthy sleeping habits and eat meals that nourish the body rather than cause damage to it. Doing this will ensure physical balance throughout the holiday season.

Prioritize activities that support your mental health

When the holidays come around, it’s important to prioritize activities that support your mental health. This means taking some time for yourself to do things you enjoy, such as exercise or meditating. Taking care of yourself is key to being able to manage stress and anxiety during the holidays.

Look for any activities that will give you some reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Additionally, getting enough sleep is essential for mental and emotional wellbeing, so make sure you’re getting enough rest each night. Lastly, if planning a large Thanksgiving dinner is feeling like too much this year, don’t be afraid to reach out for help from friends and family so that you don’t have to do it alone.

FAQs about: mental health tips for thanksgiving

Q: What mental health tips should I consider for Thanksgiving?

A: Here are some mental health tips for Thanksgiving:

• Set realistic expectations. Recognize that the holidays may be different this year, and be kind to yourself if things don’t go as planned.
• Take care of your physical health. Eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and drink plenty of water.
• Set boundaries. Make sure to take time away from the family to do something you enjoy, or just to relax and take a break.

Q: What can I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed during Thanksgiving?

A: If you’re feeling overwhelmed during Thanksgiving, here are some tips to help you cope:

• Take a break from the festivities. Find a quiet place to relax and practice some deep breathing or mindfulness techniques.
• Focus on the present moment. Remind yourself that you are safe and the situation is only temporary.
• Connect with someone. Reach out to a family member or friend to talk about how you’re feeling.

Q: What are some self-care tips for Thanksgiving?

A: Here are some self-care tips for Thanksgiving:

• Set aside time for yourself. Take a walk, listen to music, or do something else that you enjoy.
• Practice gratitude. Take a few moments to reflect on the things you are thankful for.
• Stay connected. Connect with friends and family, even if it is just virtually.