What does the above title mean? What does one thing have to do with the other?
Well, here are a few Mentally Unhealthy Thanksgiving situations:
1. You exhaust yourself preparing a big dinner because you think “This big feast is necessary.” or “If I don’t do it, no one will so I’ll do it even though I’m exhausted and can’t figure out how to make the time to do it and also fulfill other necessary things in my life..” or, “I really hate doing this but I always have and I can’t stop now.” or, or, or …
Comments about this: You have a right to have a small family dinner, eat by yourself, go to a restaurant, etc., etc. That is, if you’ve defined it as “necessary” take some time to rethink and decide for yourself.
Or, thinking it has to be you doing it because no one else will — maybe they actually will do it if you don’t, or maybe, back to my last comment, no one has to.
Do you like feeling put upon or like a martyr? Do you consciously find joy in feeling this way?!!! If you strongly dislike something do you want to continue feeling this bad?
Time to give this some thought?
2. Some of the annual guests are very unpleasant; you dread spending time with them.
Comments about this: Why put yourself through this? Don’t invite them! Or do something different or, if you do the same thing, spend time with different people who are at the gathering who are enjoyable. It may make the gathering better for you.
3. You are always sorry you’ve eaten too much, or the wrong foods that cause you to eat more calories than you want or challenge your blood sugar problem or other health situation.
Comments about above: Only put on your plate those foods and amounts that are logical. Then, if you really have a hankering for something you feel (or know) you should avoid or minimize, do it on the second time around. You’re more likely to make better choices and avoid the level of guilt you would have had if you’d taken those foods the first time around. Being mentally healthy means you’ll enjoy rather than regret the meal. And, by the way, you don’t have to eat something you don’t like and/or isn’t good for you just because Aunt Margaret made it! You can take it and leave it on the plate!
These are just a couple of types of unhealthy situations at this holiday.
There are others but what they have in common is that you don’t have to continue to have a mentally unhealthy Thanksgiving. You can make different choices.
HAVE A HAPPY, MENTALLY HEALTHY HOLIDAY!!!