Mental health matters as much as the menu. Small shifts in routine, limited sleep, or a crowded calendar can make anxiety and sadness feel heavier. Understanding common triggers and simple coping tools helps people move through the holiday with more ease. Paying attention to personal limits, pacing social time, and keeping small self-care habits can change how the days add up.

Curious about practical steps that fit real lives and varied families? The linked article explores expert perspectives and research that connect holiday pressures to mental wellbeing. Reading on can offer concrete ideas to support resilience and inclusion so more people can feel safe, seen, and ready for what comes after the celebration.
With Thanksgiving just days away, many Americans are already anticipating their favorite holiday comforts – turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. While the meal and the gathering often bring joy, experts say the holiday can also have real effects on…