Surviving and Winning Thanksgiving

Are you ready? Thanksgiving is less than a week away! It’s a time we all look forward to – friends, the family, the memories, and of course, the food. Despite all the good, these are also the same reasons that many people struggle with this time of year. Regardless of where you fall, hopefully this article can give you the tips and tricks, not only to survive but also to win this Turkey Day year after year!

The Appetizer.

Every Thanksgiving dinner has a warmup to the main dish; warm dinner rolls, spiced drinks, and fresh rolls with a side of conversation. Much like these delicious appetizers, your day should begin with an equally delectable start. Whether you are hosting the whole family, going to someone`s house, or having a smaller low-key celebration, taking the time to center and focus is important. We should try not to wake up immediately rearing to start the day hot but should instead take some time for ourselves to ease into the day. If you like meditation, take a few moments to slow your breathing. If you’re a caffeine addict like I know many of us are, enjoy your coffee while picturing the highlights of the day ahead. Thinking through a step-by-step checklist can be extremely helpful in keeping disorienting surprises to a minimum. And when there are the inevitable surprises, they will be much more manageable because you have control over the big things and have the energy to handle what you can´t control. Now that you have warmed up, it’s time to move on to the main course!

Main Course.

Turkey is the dish of the day! Thanksgiving is a big day for everyone involved whether you invested your hours to making the perfect dish or are facing family you haven´t seen in a year with millions of questions and loud opinions. Starting with the positive headspace you put yourself in the morning is a great start and following your plan for the day is also great. But most importantly, know yourself and your family. People often joke about never talking about religion or politics. But knowing the things that stir the pot and attempting to avoid them within reason is great. It doesn’t mean that you are abandoning your beliefs or values, but starting something dramatic during a day of being grateful isn’t usually the best move. Rather remember what the day is all about, being Thankful! You certainly don´t have to like everything about the people you are with or the food you are eating. But it’s important to keep things in perspective, even if things get difficult or tense, try and find the positives. And, if things do get tense use the same strategies you use in your normal life to calm down and re-center. It is no surprise that the holidays are a wonderful but stressful time of year and remembering to take care of yourself is how to win Thanksgiving.

Desert.

Do you like pie? Or maybe a nice big slice of cake to round out the meal. A great dessert is central to thanksgiving festivities. After all the guests have left, or you are on the way home, that’s when the reflection and appreciation can begin. Regardless of how the night turned out, it can be easy to lose sight of what this time of year is all about. While the true meanings, and goals vary from person to person, family to family, and tradition to tradition, finding the positives and solidifying the memories in your head is what matters. Lastly don´t forget to be open to new things. One of the best things about this time of year is that while many things about the holidays are traditional, we shouldn’t be afraid to learn and experience new things from new people.

Regardless about how you plan to spend Thanksgiving, I hope it is a healthy and happy week with great food, people, and memories for you and your family. And if you need time for yourself, don’t be afraid to step back and re center yourself. You can’t entertain and take care of others without first doing the same for yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next Time,

-Clara Monroe
Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S)