50 People Who Had A Terrible Time During Thanksgiving (New Pics)

It's important not to allow setbacks such as the ones we see in the pictures to get the best of us, since the holidays can already be demanding due to the intensified focus on family, work, and money.

In fact, according to a study carried out by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and featured by the American Psychological Association, more people are inclined to feel that their stress increases (38 percent), rather than decreases (8 percent) during these special occasions.

This added stress is felt more by women (44 percent) than men (31 percent), who are also less likely to take time to relax or manage that pressure in healthy ways, both of which are crucial to our well-being.

Stress and the harmful behaviors it causes contribute to some of our biggest health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. So it’s imperative that people prepare not only the table but also themselves for Thanksgiving.

"There are so many reasons why the holidays are stressful," psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hardy, who also shares valuable tips on mental health on her Instagram, told Bored Panda, listing "changes to your typical rhythm and routines, the avalanche of work before and after any vacation, long-standing family conflicts that refuse to be ignored, and sensory overwhelm from dozens of family members packed into living rooms and around dining tables."

But she said we can't forget expectations too. "They are everywhere and are often impossible to live up to. Aunt Margie expects everyone to show their love by eating themselves into a stomach ache. Uncle Tommy needs people to be impressed by his kids' career accomplishments. Grandpa Joe assumes that he gets to set the itinerary and the schedule, unilaterally canceling the little kids' naps. Your sister still thinks she can boss you around. Maybe you need the holiday to go perfectly, to make memories worthy of a Hallmark movie."

"The trick is that expectations are often unspoken and may not even be conscious," Dr. Hardy highlighted. "When they aren't met, it's a recipe for anger, resentment, and disappointment."

"If you need a solid nine hours of sleep to feel human, then it's pretty unrealistic to assume you'll be your calmest, happiest self after a night in a sleeping bag on the living room floor," Dr. Hardy explained.

"As much as possible, identify your most important routines and rhythms. Protect them. Communicate your needs ahead of time with the people they may impact, and accept that you may need to advocate for yourself and your boundaries."

If you need a quiet thirty minutes to drink a cup of coffee in the morning and surf the internet, Dr. Hardy suggests informing your house guests about these things ahead of time. After all, cooperation is in everyone's best interest here.

"They will be much more likely to roll with your routines if they actually know what they are. People can't read your mind. In that vein, take the opportunity to ask them what they may need in return."

There's probably no point in obsessing about every little detail, too. So many of them are out of your control.

"Abandon the pressure to curate a perfect holiday experience," Dr. Hardy added. "You do not need to have Instagram-ready decorations, desserts, and crafts. Accept that the family dinner table may not be the best place or time to hash out unresolved family issues and political disagreements."

Instead, "plan ahead with phrases you can use to stop conversations that are only going to ruin the day. It may frustrate people, but it also saves you another unproductive, yet stressful argument."

And, of course, don't forget to follow the example set by the authors of these pictures and laugh at your missteps.