Holidays can be stressful for everyone, but particularly tough for travelers who are often away from their family and friends. These joyous times can quickly bring about additional stress from the pressures of social gatherings, gift-giving, financial strain, and managing expectations. Here are some strategies to help you stay calmer during the holidays:

1. Connect with Loved Ones – The most important thing you can do is ensure you will talk with, visit, or video conference with those who matter most in your life. Even if it means scheduling time in advance rather than a impromptu call. Make sure you will have emotional connections during the holidays.
2. Set Realistic Expectations – Don’t strive for perfection and easily accept that things might not go exactly as planned. Focus on enjoying the moment rather than on achieving an idealized version of the holidays. Try to limit your commitments so you don’t have to attend every event or buy gifts for everyone. Select what’s most meaningful to you.
3. Plan and Prioritize – Make a to-do list by writing down the tasks you need to complete and break them into manageable chunks. This can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Be sure to plan time for relaxation by scheduling some “me-time” amidst the festivities. It could be as simple as reading a book, taking a walk, or enjoying a special cup of coffee.
4. Set a Budget – Manage financial stress by creating a holiday spreadsheet and stick to it. Look for creative, low-cost gift ideas or experiences to share rather than costly material gifts. Also, avoid last-minute shopping to avoid the rush, which can lead to impulse buying and more financial strain.
5. Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health – Get enough sleep because rest is essential for coping with stress. Try to maintain your regular sleep schedule, despite all the to do lists and holiday gatherings. Try to eat with purpose. The holidays often bring indulgent foods, but it’s still important to eat balanced meals and avoid overeating and too much caffeine, which can also contribute to stress. Don’t forget to exercise, even a short daily walk or some light stretching can reduce stress and boost your mood.
6. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation – Take a few moments each day for deep breathing exercises or meditation. These practices help you relax and mitigate anxiety. Reflecting on what you’re grateful for can shift your focus away from stressors and improve your mindset as well.
7. Limit Social Media – Avoid making comparisons with social media. This can quickly heighten feelings of inadequacy when you compare your life to what others are doing. Limit your time on these platforms if they make you feel overwhelmed, use your time to make a list of the good things in your life (not someone else’s’). Focus on the people and experiences right in front of you, rather than on what’s happening online.
8. Ask for Support – Talk to someone if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, talk to a trusted friend, family member, clergy, or therapist. Sometimes just voicing your feelings can help you feel calmer. Don’t be afraid to ask for help by delegating tasks like cooking, shopping, or decorating. Sharing responsibilities can ease your load.
9. Create New Traditions – When certain holiday traditions feel like too much, consider simplifying or starting new traditions that better suit your current lifestyle and needs. Tailor activities, decorations, to your personal situation, and something that brings joy…not stress.
10. Embrace Imperfection – Remember that holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Embrace the spontaneity and happiness that comes with the season, even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

By thinking more about your well-being during the holidays and taking small, proactive steps, you can maintain a healthy perspective and enjoy a more relaxed and fulfilling holiday season. Thank you for being a traveler and caring for so many, especially during the holiday season.

Staying connected with friends and family during Thanksgiving can look different for everyone, especially if you are a traveler away from home. The key is finding meaningful ways to share the spirit of the holiday, whether you’re physically together or apart. Here are some ideas for finding happiness while you are apart:

1. Virtual Dinner Parties– If you’re unable to be together in person, consider setting up a virtual dinner or any meal. You can use Facetime, Teams, Zoom, Skype, or any video calling platform to “sit down” together and share your meal. Some families even schedule a specific time for everyone to eat, so it feels like a communal event.
2. Sharing Gratitude-Whether in-person or virtually, take some time during your meal to share what you’re thankful for. This can be done through a group call, or even by writing down things you’re grateful for and sharing them afterward. It’s a great way to reflect together, even if you’re in different locations.
3. Group Cooking Session-If you’re not able to be in the same kitchen, you can still cook together by having a shared cooking session over video call. You can cook the same recipe at the same time or exchange cooking tips. Another fun twist is having everyone bring one dish to share, and then comparing how each one turns out!
4. Family Traditions-Many families have unique traditions—whether it’s playing a specific game, watching a certain movie, or telling family stories. You can still maintain these traditions via virtual meetings or by setting up live-streams, so everyone can participate from a distance.
5. Create a Thanksgiving Playlist-Music is another way to create a sense of togetherness. You and your loved ones can compile a playlist of favorite songs or Thanksgiving-themed tracks and share it with everyone to listen to during the day. It’ll be like everyone is in the same room, enjoying the same tunes!
6. Personal Gratitude Journals or Letters– Take some time to connect with your personal feelings. Write what you are thankful for in a journal, explore accomplishments, good fortune, relationships. Consider writing a letter to yourself, remembering what is important and deserves thanks.
7. Watch a Movie or Sports Together– Many families enjoy watching parades, football games, or holiday movies together. This can be extended to virtual connections by using platforms like Netflix Party (for movies) or sharing live-streams of sports games. Watching and reacting together can mimic the experience of being in the same room.
8. Send Thanksgiving Care Packages-A thoughtful way to stay connected is by sending care packages with goodies, handwritten notes, or even recipes. It’s a physical way to show you care, even if you can’t be there in person.
9. Record Memories for Future Thanksgivings– If you can’t be together in person, ask everyone to record a short video message about what they’re thankful for this year, or share a family memory. Collecting these recordings can create lasting memories to watch together at future holidays.
10. Start New Traditions-Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on old traditions and create new ones. Whether it’s adding a new virtual activity or exploring different ways to connect, it’s all about creating memories together, even if you’re not in the same place.