How to Avoid Thanksgiving Stress
Are you getting stressed just thinking about the Holiday season approaching? There are quite a few reasons why Thanksgiving may give us the jitters. From the stress caused by having to plan a 3-course meal for 20+ people to being questioned again by that certain family member asking about when you will start having kids or why you've gained 10 lbs. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to reduce this kind of holiday stress.
Plan as much ahead of time as you can
From getting an early head count to planning the menu well in advance, you'll feel much better knowing that you have at least one part of the day under control.
Lists are your best bet to avoid getting stressed out. Keep a master list of everything you need to do, along with smaller daily to-do lists and of course grocery lists. And then of course there's the "Honey Do" list, which brings us to...
Ask For Help-Delegate!!
Get your family to help clean and get ready for the big day. They can run errands for you, help set the table, decorate and cook along side with you.
Ask every guest to bring a single dish. With everyone chipping in it will quickly add up. Ask those family members and friends who are "culinary challenged," to bring some chips, drinks, or even napkins and paper plates.
Get everyone to help clean up afterwards. No one should expect you to handle everything on your own.
Prepare Mentally
Are you worried about getting into those awkward family discussions or being drilled with the same old annoying, personal questions every year? Begin thinking about how you'll respond and answer those questions. If you know you'll get questions about how you raise your kids, weight gain or why your spouse lost their job, prepare yourself in advance with answers.
Practice your response to some of the questions you'll be getting. If you can repeat the answers out loud enough before the event, you'll feel more confident answering them when the time comes.
If you still feel uneasy about the event, tackle it with a friend or hang out with a like minded family member. Or have a secret signal with your spouse for "help" so they know to come rescue you.
