How to Stay Present at Thanksgiving

One of the biggest reminders I have received during my healing journey is the need to stay present. While I always thought about mindfulness I realized I was often times juggling many things at a time and not really present with what I was doing. This requires us to slow down, breathe deeply and notice where we are and who we are with. Wouldn't our loved ones appreciate our complete loving attention? Maybe we don't 'do' as much cooking, or maybe we take a walk after we eat. Whatever you choose to do, being present is a gift we can give to those we are grateful for.

Mindful for Thanksgiving means to be fully present and aware of the moment during the Thanksgiving holiday, focusing on actively appreciating the food, company, and experience without getting caught up in distractions or stress, essentially practicing gratitude through mindful eating and interactions with loved ones.

It is easy to get stressed and distracted when we are preparing for Thanksgiving, there are so many things to do. This year I am playing with the idea of just not doing so many. No one is going to miss a side dish that much if it means I am calmer and more available for my family. And I am having the family help more instead of taking this all on.

One of the biggest tools I use is to pause and check in to see if what I am doing feels good. Do I need to take a break? Have I taken on too much? Try it and you may be surprised how you can avoid overwhelm before it happens.

Here are some other tips to stay mindful this Thanksgiving:

Take a moment before eating: Before the meal, take a few deep breaths and focus on your intention to be present and grateful.
Start with a small plate: Choose a small portion of each dish to savor the flavors.
Engage in conversation: Ask questions, listen attentively, and share stories with loved ones.
Express gratitude verbally: Tell people what you appreciate about them.
Take a mindful walk: If feeling overwhelmed, step outside for a short walk to reset.