Thanksgiving can be a time to gather with friends and family, share what you are grateful for, and enjoy delicious food. Thanksgiving can also be a time filled with stress and anxiety. Here are a few tips on how to reduce that stress and help you have a more relaxed, calm day!
Prepare as much as possible ahead of time
Lots of traditional Thanksgiving dishes can be prepared the day before, if not earlier. Take advantage of this fact and make a dish or two ahead. Ready-to-serve food in the fridge is like money in the bank. Even if you have only half an hour the day before to devote to prep, you could wash and chop the veggies, saving time (and precious counter space) on Thanksgiving.
Enjoy a moment to yourself before guests arrive
Remember, when you are relaxed and happy, your guests will be, too. So light a fire (or some candles), put on music, get dressed and pour yourself a cup of tea. Savor the stillness before the storm of cooking, family and friends descends upon your house.
Take mindful breaks throughout the day
Use a repetitive task—like washing dishes, answering the door or opening the fridge—as your cue to breathe in deeply. Exhale, loosen your shoulders, relax and move on. By taking many of these tiny pauses during a busy day like Thanksgiving, you may feel calmer and more aware of the simple pleasures that are there to enjoy, even amid the chaos: the scent of the turkey roasting in the oven, the autumn leaves swirling outside the window, the sounds of lively conversation and laughter.
Pick your favorite cooking tasks and accept help for the rest
Whether you love to bake, make a killer gravy or always do the green beans, claim your preferred dishes and farm out the others. Invite family and friends to contribute something and don’t worry about picking up a few store-bought items to fill in gaps.
We hope our BGCW families are enjoying a stress-free holiday! Share photos of your family preparing or enjoying your thanksgiving meal! We are excited to hear how you decided to celebrate!