Written by: Emily White
The season of giving thanks is upon us! In a mere week, many of us will be traveling to see family and friends. I, your creative and benevolent lifestyle editor, have compiled a list of tips to help you make it through this holiday relatively unscathed.
EAT A SMALL BREAKFAST ON THANKSGIVING MORNING
This advice comes from Lucas Bueno, religion editor. “I always neglected to [eat breakfast] and would be starving [and had] headaches by the time we actually started eating the main meal.”
DON’T EAT TOO MUCH
It’s very easy to overeat at Thanksgiving. Try taking really small portions at first and eating slowly. If you’re still hungry, you can always go back and get more food. Don’t feel that you have to try every single dish; don’t feel that you have to finish your whole plate, either.
EXERCISE
Whether you paid attention to the previous point or not, take an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise. You don’t have to run a marathon or a Turkey Trot, nor do you have to hit the gym. A simple jaunt around the neighborhood (or yard) will do. As a wise man (Jordan Taylor from the YouTube channel Blimey Cow) once said, “Going for a walk never made anyone more sad.”
TAKE A BREAK FROM SCHOOL (BUT NOT TOO MUCH OF A BREAK)
Don’t spend all of your free time slaving away at studying for classes. However, it might be beneficial for you to do a little bit of work so you don’t feel overwhelmed once school starts again.
REST
Attempt to counteract the upcoming lack of sleep during exam week by sleeping in as much as you can during break.
WATCH THE THANKSGIVING SPECIALS
When else are you going to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
KNOW YOUR SOCIAL NEEDS
Are you an introvert and need to spend time away from people? Schedule breaks where you can escape to the bathroom, the hall closet, the outdoors, a family car, etc. to regain your sense of self and recharge your social battery.
Are you an extrovert and need to spend more time with people? Schedule meetups with friends from home and relish all of the extra time that you can spend with family members. Consider calling your long-distance friends and family members for extra socialization.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Not everyone enjoys working in the kitchen, so don’t feel bad if you can’t even prepare packaged stuffing for the Thanksgiving meal. Instead, find a way to make yourself more useful with your talents (or lack thereof). Get creative! You could design a wonderful centerpiece, curate the Thanksgiving dinner Spotify playlist or, if all else fails, set the table.
HELP WRANGLE YOUR YOUNGER COUSINS . . .
Offer to help out the child-rearing members of your family by keeping the younger ones occupied. Try to interest them in a board game, take them for a spin in your vehicle, show them A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or trick them into playing the quiet game.
. . . OR HIDE FROM YOUR YOUNGER COUSINS
I don’t blame you. I hide from mine every year, too.
DO NOT BRING UP POLITICS . . . OR DO
In light of the recent election, it is probably in your best interest to refrain from discussing said election. However, if you routinely enjoy debating others, then this is the perfect dinner conversation starter.
PEOPLE-WATCH
If the Thanksgiving drama is too much for you to handle, try changing your point of view. Pretend you are an anthropologist who is observing people in their natural (or unnatural) habitat. You could even compile your findings and publish them in a reputable journal (your diary, most likely) or share them with your friends and compare Thanksgiving dinner shenanigans.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
Talk especially to the older members (like grandparents or aunts and uncles) who might have good stories, sound advice and even tea to spill about your parents.
GIVE THANKS
Amidst all of the hustle and bustle of the season, don’t forget to indulge in the spirit of Thanksgiving and remember to be grateful for the good things in your life!
