Eliminate Stress from your Thanksgiving Gathering
Gathering family and friends together for a Thanksgiving celebration is designed to provide an annual bonding experience filled with food, fun, relaxation and happiness. Too often, however, the end result has the opposite effect because of the compulsion to do too much. Efforts to fulfill everyone’s idea of a perfect holiday should not rob you of your own enjoyment of the festive season.
The days leading up to Thanksgiving might actually deplete your grateful spirit if you don’t take occasional breaks and find ways to minimize stress.
When the hustle and bustle inherent in holiday preparations begins to wear on your nerves, use the following strategies to reduce stress and refresh your spirit:
Enjoy a bouquet of mums
Richly-hued chrysanthemums are abundant in the fall, thriving in the crisp, cool air. Pick bouquets from your garden, or purchase arrangements from a florist to decorate your home and give your holiday table a festive Autumn touch. Astudyconducted by Rutgers scientists reveals that a lovely display of flowers can actually lift the mood and decrease anxiety levels.
Express gratitude
Saying thank you is more than a display of good manners. According to anarticlepublished in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, expressing gratitude relaxes the body and mind. In addition, counting your blessings on Thanksgiving is apt to increase your feelings of optimism. When you sit down for dinner, go around the table and allow everyone an opportunity to share what they are most thankful for during the season of gratitude.
Play flag football
Organize a game of flag football as a way to exercise off those additional calories consumed at the Thanksgiving feast. Your family and friends will be entertained and the exercise will release “feel good” endorphins to raise everyone’s level of satisfaction and enjoyment. Those who don’t wish to participate in the game can act as cheerleaders and a good time will be had by all.
Visit a corn maze
Relieve pre-holiday tension by visiting a corn maze or pumpkin farm with your family and friends.Multiple studiesreveal that the energy exerted while spending quality time walking around taking in the festivities is apt to ease anxiety when stimulated brain chemicals (endorphins) transform holiday mental and physical overload into feelings of relaxation and pleasure.
If you are hosting the holiday for friends and family this Thanksgiving, take time out of your busy schedule to ensure that you and your guests collectively share some memorable moments that are sure to instill a genuine attitude of gratitude, which is what Thanksgiving is all about.
