Thanksgiving is a favourite American holiday, a day to count our blessings and be thankful as we feast together. While this time of year can bring lots of joy & happiness for many people, it can be quite stressful. How you are feeling around the holidays can directly impact how and what you eat. If you are feeling anxious about the upcoming holiday, remember that with a little preparation, mindfulness, and mental effort, we can keep ourselves grounded and together so that we can celebrate and connect with family and friends to create a healthy, relaxing, and restorative time.
Here are 12 Thanksgiving Tips for More Joy and Less Stress by Dorothy The Organizer.
I wanted to share some additional tips that help me throughout the holiday season:
- Drink a tall glass of water 20 minutes before starting the meal. This will pre-hydrate your stomach wall, which is lined with an acid buffer that is 80% water. The more water, the better the buffer, and the more acid your stomach will produce to enjoy more food. Studies show it helps reduce weight.
- Begin with mindful eating and remember to enjoy your food. Don’t eat food that you don’t enjoy. If you don’t like the traditional green bean casserole or the pumpkin pie, then politely pass. We want to avoid any negative associations with food and negative self-talk or guilt during or after eating, as this can create a toxic environment in your body. Enjoy and savor what’s on your plate.
- Force yourself to put your fork down and chew. The more time you give yourself to chew and relax, the more your stomach will gracefully expand and allow you to comfortably continue to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal without overeating. If you eat that same meal fast, it will hit like a rock and you will find yourself spending much of the afternoon on the couch. Studies suggest that slow, mindful eating helps us eat healthier and lose weight.
- If you’re feeling a little bloated after your feast, you can sip on some ginger tea – here is a recipe.
- Try and treat Thanksgiving as one day, not one month. Get back into your healthy regime after the event. If you do overindulge, don’t dwell on it, acknowledge it, and move on. Remember, don’t deprive yourself, enjoy your feast, but keep some of these tips in mind.
Wishing you health, happiness, and success this Thanksgiving and always. Here’s to enjoying the company of good friends and family as we give thanks. My warmest wishes to you and your family on Thanksgiving!
Thanks for reading and keep well,
