Keeping Thanksgiving “Thankful” and Stress-Free

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, we can sometimes encounter family dynamics/stress related to the holidays. It is important to remember to express gratitude, and reflect on the past year with those we love, near or far. Holiday’s have a wonderful way of bringing people together, but can also create unnecessary stress sometimes.

Everyone has family dynamics, it’s a given. For many families, the dynamics seem to escalate during the holidays, good or bad. How you handle the dynamics and potential disagreements can make or break your holiday plans. Allowing everyone to be open with conversations and encouraging a positive spin on opinions is helpful. Reminding . family members that we can “agree to disagree” can help set the foundation for a memorable Thanksgiving Holiday.

Thanksgiving may bring together individuals who have not seen each other in some time. There may be challenges in those relationships and navigating those challenges with optimism is a step in the right direction. Conflict is upsetting to all, but can be even more upsetting to seniors who look forward to annual celebrations with family and friends. Keep conversations light, guide toward topics everyone can enjoy. Remember to talk about how grateful everyone is for each other and find positive ways to interact with one another. Reminiscing over photos and traditions from years prior can pave the way for a happy holiday and a low stress Thanksgiving. The goal is to create new memories every year for everyone to enjoy and build upon for the years to come.

A few tips to help keep everyone on a positive note this Holiday season:

• Try to keep family events short and simple – some may grow tired more easily, or not be as interested. Be conscious of everyone involved.
• Try to limit decisions – Having a lot of choices (location, food, etc.) can overwhelm some family members causing stress. Keep it light and easy.
• Try to keep a time frame in mind – To help alleviate any anxiety, try to be on time and also realize that some family members might have additional friends or family to visit as well.

And most important: Remember to keep “Thankful” in Thanksgiving.