Navigating Thanksgiving: Mental Health Tips for a Season of Gratitude and Stress

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, Thanksgiving ushers in a season of reflection, togetherness, and—often—stress. While the holiday is meant to celebrate gratitude and connection, it can also stir up emotional challenges for individuals and families. At Brighton Counseling Services, we understand that depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma don’t take a holiday break. In fact, they often intensify during this time of year due to the added stress of the holiday. Whether you're dreading family gatherings, grieving a loss, managing financial strain, or simply overwhelmed by expectations, you're not alone. So we at Brighton Counseling Services created a list of tips to help you protect your mental health and find moments of peace and joy this Thanksgiving season.

Understanding the Holiday Mental Health Strain

Thanksgiving can be emotionally complex. For many, it’s a time of joy and reconnection. For others, it’s a reminder of strained relationships, loneliness, or past trauma. And for most of us, it's a mix of both. Some other common things you may also experience during this season include:

• Family conflict or tension

• Grief and loss, especially during the first holiday season without a loved one

• Financial pressure from hosting or traveling

• Social anxiety around gatherings

• Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations

• Disrupted routines, including sleep, diet, and exercise

• Triggers from past trauma, especially in family settings

  
  

These stressors can exacerbate existing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Recognizing the emotional weight of the season is the first step toward managing it.

Tips for Individuals: Protecting Your Peace

If you're navigating Thanksgiving solo or feeling emotionally vulnerable, here are strategies to help you cope:

1. Set Boundaries Without Guilt   You don’t have to attend every event or engage in every conversation. If certain gatherings or topics are triggering, it’s okay to say no or excuse yourself. Boundaries are a form of self-care.

2. Create Your Own Traditions   If traditional Thanksgiving feels painful or isolating, reinvent it. Host a “Friendsgiving,” volunteer at a local shelter, or spend the day in nature. Meaningful rituals you create for yourself can be rewarding AND healing.

3. Practice Gratitude—Gently   Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means finding small moments of light. Try journaling three things you’re thankful for each day, even if they’re simple: a warm blanket, a kind text, or a quiet moment for example.

4. Stay Connected   Isolation can deepen depression and anxiety. Reach out to friends, support groups, or mental health professionals. Even a short phone call can make a difference. At Brighton Counseling Services, we offer individual counseling sessions to help you feel supported and heard.

5. Limit Social Media   Scrolling through curated holiday photos can trigger feelings of inadequacy or loneliness. Everyone posts their greatest highlights, but we see this on their media page as every day stuff. Take breaks from social media and focus on your own experience. Dial-in with yourself and focus on what your

   
   

Tips for Families: Creating a Supportive Environment

Family gatherings can be joyful—AND emotionally charged. Here’s some ideas on how to foster a mentally healthy Thanksgiving for everyone:

1. Acknowledge Emotional Diversity   Not everyone experiences the holidays the same way. Some may be grieving, anxious, or overwhelmed while others have the typical excitement and joy. Create space for everyone's different emotions and avoid forcing cheerfulness.

2. Keep Expectations Realistic   Perfection isn’t the goal. Learn from Clark Griswold and focus on connection over presentation. If the turkey burns or the conversation stalls, it’s okay. What matters is being together.

3. Plan Ahead for Tricky Dynamics   If certain relatives tend to stir conflict, strategize in advance. Seat them apart, set time limits, or establish ground rules (e.g., no politics at the table).

4. Include Mental Health in the Conversation   Normalize talking about mental health. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to meaningful connection. If someone seems withdrawn, check in privately. Families in Brighton can also benefit from our family counseling services to help navigate these conversations with care.

5. Create Quiet Spaces   Offer a room or corner where guests can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Sometimes a few minutes of solitude can prevent a meltdown.

6. Couples Counseling. If Thanksgiving is causing you and your partner too many arguments and grief, there's probably something more going on there than the typical holiday stress. Schedule with one of our marriage counselors here at Brighton Counseling Services or with a marriage counselor from one of our partner clinics like The Marriage and Family Clinic in Westminster. We can help you sift out what's underlying the tension and get your marriage back on track.

   
   

Coping with Grief and Trauma During the Holidays

For those dealing with loss or trauma, Thanksgiving can be especially painful. Here’s some ideas of how to navigate it with compassion:

• Honor the memory of loved ones with a candle, photo, or shared story

• Give yourself permission to feel. Sadness, anger, and numbness are valid

• Avoid toxic positivity. You don’t have to “look on the bright side” if you’re hurting

• Seek professional support. Therapy can provide tools and a safe space to process emotions

  
  

If trauma is linked to family or past holidays, consider beginning counseling with one of our counselors at Brighton Counseling Services to help you develop grounding techniques, exit strategies, other unique possibilities for whatever triggering situations may arise for you.

Self-Care Strategies for the Season

Thanksgiving is a great time to recommit to self-care. Here are some practices to keep your mental health steady:

• Stick to a sleep schedule to avoid mood swings and fatigue

• Move your body—even a short walk can reduce anxiety

• Eat mindfully, especially if food is a source of stress

• Practice deep breathing before and after gatherings

• Schedule downtime to recharge between events

  
  

Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. If you’re unsure where to start, our team at Brighton Counseling Services can help you build a personalized self-care plan that feels authentic, refreshing and good for you and your loved ones around you.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma feel unmanageable, it’s time to reach out. Signs you may benefit from counseling include:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness

• Panic attacks or constant worry

• Difficulty sleeping or eating

• Withdrawal from loved ones

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

  
  

Brighton Counseling Services offers compassionate, confidential support tailored to your needs. Whether you need short-term guidance or ongoing therapy, we’re here to help you through the holidays and beyond.

A Season of Healing and Hope

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By prioritizing mental health, setting boundaries, and seeking support, you can transform the season into one of healing and hope.

If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Reach out to Brighton Counseling Services today to schedule a consultation. Let’s make this Thanksgiving a time not just for gratitude—but for growth, connection, and emotional well-being.