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How to Enjoy a Stress Free Thanksgiving

I always marvel how celebrations can hurl us into the most stressful moments of our lives. Thanksgiving serves as a good example. Our emotional programming conjures up a feast of earthly delights, beautiful table settings and good fellowship. You’ve got to be kidding!

On the other hand reality is more like: An overworked, exhausted hostess who is agitated about the time spent shopping and cooking for this one outrageous meal. She is too busy serving to socialize with her guests. Meanwhile guests sit torn between sabotaging their weight loss regimens with overindulgence and displeasing the hostess with portion control. A global clean-up follows a ransacked kitchen. Last but not least are the family and friends who sling barbs across the table, fuel old conflicts and push vulnerable buttons.

The reason we feel anxious and irritable is our own lack of self-confidence, the fundamental belief that we do not measure up. Therefore we try much harder and cook more complicated side dishes to prove that we can do it all without any help. All these responsibilities weigh us down and induce two kinds of fatigue, physical and emotional. As a result, we don’t feel thankful about anything. The slightest criticism or a change in plans will set us off. We have merged our image with the Thanksgiving table! However, if we can tap into the real spirit of the holiday, return to the essence of Thanksgiving, we can relax and have a lot of fun. I do every year. Because I’m not a great cook, I serve love! I have other talents.

Here’s how to enjoy your Thanksgiving:
Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout and Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB AM1240 in New York City , produces a weekly wellness newsletter, and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media. To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com

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Content copyright © 2013 by Debbie Mandel. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Debbie Mandel. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Debbie Mandel for details.



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