Thanksgiving is a little over a week away. Now is the time to panic. JUST KIDDING – Please do not panic. You don’t need to put any extra stress on yourself. Here are some ways to help cut stress out of Thanksgiving this year:

• Cooking? Ask each of your guests to bring a side dish, dessert, or drink. There’s no reason a large meal should be put all on one person’s shoulders (even if it’s always been done that way).  This way, everyone spends a little less time in the kitchen, and a little more time enjoying either other’s company.
• Hosting? Don’t go overboard with Pinterest decorations and extravagant recipes. Again, your friends and family are coming to see you. They might be impressed by your extra handiwork, but that will soon be out of their minds. And truthfully, nobody wants to feel like they’ve put pressure on you or stressed you out.  Think of it this way: If you’re less stressed, so are your guests. And always remember that less is more.  
• Traveling? Pack only the essentials. Being out of place from your regular routine can be a little disorientating. The less you have to keep track of, the easier. Pack a few pieces of clothing that can mix and match to create several different outfits. Skip the laptop, the tablet, and video games; You’re traveling to see people, remember?
• Holiday anxiety? Take a deep breathe, and focus on what you need to be mentally healthy. Your friends and family should be understanding of your needs. No holiday is more important than your health. On the contrary, holidays are meant to bring people together for happy memories, NOT to tear you down into emotional shreds. Need a nap? Take it. Need to skip an event or two? Clear your schedule. Can’t make it altogether? — Listen, it is okay. Take the time you need to feel better. The holidays can be rough, no matter how much you prepare for it.

We can all use a few reminders to keep things simple, so that the important things can remain at the forefront.  I hope you’ve found these tips somewhat useful. From the bottom of my heart, I want to wish you an early Happy Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season.