When a family gathers around a large table, anything can go wrong. The truth is, whether we like it or not, the iconic Norman Rockwell scene isn’t always a reality. Blame Thanksgiving stress, but we all know what it feels like to feel electric air at a dinner table where every little word can turn into a huge conflict.
For many people, Thanksgiving is a tinderbox of family-related stress. Think of anything from political arguments and table manners to clashing beliefs and old arguments, it seems like Thanksgiving offers a perfect opportunity for them to come to the surface.
One of the major sources of Thanksgiving stress is cooking for too many people. The solution is to do more planning to avoid irritations and feel as prepared as possible. From making a grocery list to doing shopping in advance, little things make wonders. Also, think of recruiting help in the kitchen, inviting friends and family members to help you out, and spending some bonding time together.
The stress management and mindfulness expert Dr. Kathleen Hall argues that pairing up with a partner can help you to minimize stress this Thanksgiving so you're not in charge of making sure that everyone and everything is running smoothly. "I believe in the buddy system. If you're having it at your house, have a sister, friend, a mother, a relative — somebody" to help with the general atmosphere, she told Insider.
Creating a seating chart can also help keep stress at bay. From "playing music all the time," to "too much activity, or not enough, someone's gonna start complaining" about what's going on around them, Hall argues, so try to keep people who antagonize each other apart during dinner.
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