Not everyone is able to handle the pressure to host a perfect holiday and be thankful for the good things that happened this year. Coming back home to your family can sometimes make you feel emotionally exhausted from talking about stuff you don't want to talk about and bumping into people you really don't want to see. No to mention the comments about every single decision you've made or inappropriate questions about your personal life. For some people, it can actually become a nightmare.
What about the pressure of coming along to your partner's house for the first time? You have to put on your best behavior and be ready for anything. Stephan Labossiere, a certified relationship coach, said that if you go into the day prepared for different situations and have answers for those awkward questions, you won't get rattled when they come up.
Another thing to have in mind, do whatever they do. If they're a family of huggers, go for it. If everyone is laughing at grandpa's hilarious joke, don't hesitate. Just don't get too carried away. "You have to be yourself," he said. "You don’t want to sell them on a personality that’s not you."
According to Talk Space, while the Thanksgiving tradition of feeling and showing gratitude to others is beneficial, certain parts of this holiday can be really stressful. It seems that many people experience a significant increase in stress during the holidays, especially women. More than half of the recipients said that time constraints are the biggest cause of holiday anxiety, followed by shopping, bombardment by ads, and thinking about money.
People also feel stressed because gathering their extended family and friends can cause negative social comparisons. This can not only lower your self-esteem but also cause feelings of envy, regret or guilt. And that's only a few reasons why so many people end up messing up their pumpkin pies and burning turkeys. But it doesn't have to be this way.
First, stuffing yourself with mashed potatoes and gravy until there's no more room left is definitely a usual thing when celebrating Thanksgiving. If you're anxious about putting on some holiday weight, don't be. In reality, there's nothing to panic over. For those people who thought their holiday weight gain was between 3.5 to 10 pounds, it was actually just under one pound.
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Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that actually gather the whole family. While we enjoy laughing and spending time together, there's still bound to be some arguments. In order to keep out the tension, remember this: do not bring up politics while having conversations with people who might have other points of view.
Also, if you're the host, try planning the budget ahead of time. This way, you will not only save money but also avoid spending stress. Not to mention that you will have more time to think of entertaining activities and games. When people are having fun, even things like dry turkey or failed dessert won't matter as much.
Lastly, an important note is to remember why you are all there: to give thanks. Take a moment to give gratitude to people and things that make you happy. Stay present while eating and don't get involved in silly arguments that will only worsen your mood. And if there are new people at the table, be kind to them and create a positive environment because remember, one day you might be in their place.
So let's take a deep breath since the holiday season is not over yet. If you feel overwhelmed, it's time to rethink your attitude and enjoy the little things around you. And if something unexpected happens, don't worry! It will only make a fun story to tell at your next holiday get-together.
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