© Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime
Dreamstime L 28082529 619e59553588c

At-Home Safety: Tips for Avoiding Thanksgiving Stress

Nov. 15, 2010
Learn how to embody the motto, "Too blessed to be stressed" this Thanksgiving.

Mary Muscari, associate professor in the Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University and author of Let Kids Be Kids: Rescuing Childhood, shares some tips to avoid stressed-out Thanksgivings.

You can keep stress from turning your Thanksgiving into a real turkey by following these simple tips from Muscari:

  • Shop ahead of time for non-perishables and have your list ready for what you need to purchase right before the holiday.
  • If you’re going to break out the good serving ware, getting it ready ahead of time. Don’t wait until Thursday morning.
  • Have the entertainment ready – TV for the football fans, Wii, board games or DVDs for everyone else.
  • Share the chores so that everyone gets to enjoy the day. If you can’t share them with family and friends, share them with Betty Crocker, Jimmy Dean or whoever makes something you can heat and eat.
  • Yes, healthy is better, but this is Thanksgiving we’re talking about. If you can’t make it healthy, tasty and easy to cook, worry about being healthy some other day, Muscari advised. Lighten up what and where you can for Thanksgiving and pre-plan to cut back during the rest of the week. You can enjoy a serving of stuffing on the big day; just don’t stuff yourself with it all weekend.
  • Minimize driving. You don’t have to visit every family member in one day – honest! Alternate years, or celebrate another day. Have mini family Thanksgivings one day a week during November and stay home and relax on Thanksgiving. Staying off the roads during the busy holiday rush is the safer option, as well.
  • Remember the meaning of the holiday: It’s about giving thanks. In these difficult times, we need to be thankful for what we have. Make sure the kids know that. And when you have a moment, drop some food off at the nearest food bank for those who are not so lucky this year.
About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!