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Self Care
Swarnakshi Sharma November 24th, 2022 · 6min read

10 Thanksgiving Self-Care Tips To Improve Your Well-Being This Holiday Season!

Thanksgiving is a very special holiday with a very special meaning behind the celebration – gratitude. The purpose of this holiday is simple but holds a great appeal. As the holiday season approaches, many of us forget to focus on self-care.

And I’m not talking about physical self-care.

Holidays can be stressful for many reasons and with the add-in uncertainty of the future as well as our day-to-day stress, our mental health can take a heavy toll.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can practice self-care this Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving Self-Care Ideas to Manage the Holiday Chaos

Here are the ways you can take care of your mental health this Thanksgiving season!

If You’re Spending The Holiday Alone…

Health tips for thanksgiving if you’re spending the holiday season by yourself this year:

1. Focus On Your Sleep Schedule

The holiday season means working extra hours to make sure your work is complete as is your shopping, right? But working overtime can cause you to compromise on sleep that can affect your mental health in the end. To prevent the holiday from overwhelming you, make sure you get the right amount of sleep.

2. Stick To A Routine

Holidays, undoubtedly, distract us from our normal routine and once our routine is disturbed, it can add to our mental struggles. It’s important to stick to your normal routine as much as you can during the holiday season.

Also Read: 10 Healthy Morning Routines That will Help You Keep You Calm

3. Create A Mindful Budget

When you live alone, holiday expenses can create financial stress too. If unexpected purchases add to your stress, then create a mindful budget beforehand. This budget can include expenses such as decorations, food, etc.

Once this budget is created, stick with the plan! If you’re planning for shop after Thanksgiving, make sure you plan for that in your budget too.

4. Don’t Skip a Workout

Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day can give your mood a boost! You can sneak in physical activity by going on a hike in the morning, doing aerobic exercises in the morning, playing music, and dancing around the house. If the weather is nice then you can spend some time in nature.

If You’re Stressed About An Uncertain Future…

Mental health tips for thanksgiving if you’re stressed this year:

5. Focus On Your Feelings

Being stressed and worried about an uncertain future is normal so it’s important to not ignore or avoid these feelings. Accept and acknowledge these emotions. Check-in with yourself throughout the holiday week and acknowledge the feelings you’re experiencing. Do whatever you need to do to cope with these feelings.

6. Practice Gratitude

Thanksgiving is the holiday where you express gratitude towards what you’re most grateful for – so let’s do that! Take some time before the day to focus on the aspects of your life that are going well. Take a look at the things you’d normally take for granted. Relish these moments and express your gratitude.

Also Read: 10+ Best Gratitude Journal Apps For You to Try Right Now

7. Focus On What You Can Control

Focus on the present and what you can control. Sit down with yourself and create a list of the things you can control. Remember, you can’t control how others act but you can control how you react. Let go of the things that are out of your control. If it helps, write down your worries in a journal and work out what is in your control and what’s not.

If You’re Grieving or Stuck In A Toxic Environment…

Tips for thanksgiving if you’re grieving or stuck in a toxic environment:

8. Reach Out

If you’re grieving the loss of your loved one, a pet, or a public figure you looked up to this holiday season, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel happiness this holiday season.

Reach out to your loved ones either via video calls or in person (with social distancing in mind). If you’re stuck in a toxic environment, you can always reach out to a mental health professional for help.

Remember, whatever the circumstance, you’re not alone!

9. Give To Others

Helping others is also a part of your Thanksgiving self-care. Did you know that random acts of kindness can make you feel happier? Anything that takes your attention away from your current dilemma and makes you focus on another person can be beneficial for your overall well-being.

If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed…

Tips for thanksgiving if you feel too overwhelmed this year:

10. Connect With A Support Group

I get it. The holiday season can be stressful and overwhelming (sometimes both at the same time) but instead of letting your worries and stress overwhelm you, reach out to your support system and if you don’t have one, then you can connect with a mental health support group online.

Additional Resources To Help You Cope

If you’re still struggling with taking care of your mental health, you can contact these helpline numbers to help cope:

Writer’s Thoughts

Thanksgiving can mean different things to different people. The celebrations may differ in different parts of the world and can mean different things in other cultures but the essence of the holiday remains the same – expressing thankfulness and gratitude for what we have.

If you’re struggling with celebrating Thanksgiving and taking care of your mental health this holiday season, then I hope the above self-care tips for Thanksgiving help you.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with coping with your mental health, you can reach out to a professional or connect with us at info@calmsage.com.

Let us know what your Thanksgiving plans are this year in the comments below!

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following impulse.” – Henry Van Dyke

Take Care and Happy Thanksgiving!

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