Mental Health Today

When Thanksgiving Is Not So Happy Do you find it hard to be happy on Thanksgiving? If so, you're not alone. Many people experience every emotion except happiness around Thanksgiving. Here are 8 reasons why Thanksgiving is not so happy for many: 1. Divorce 2. Loneliness 3. Family Conflict 4. Death of a loved one 5. Family pain / secrets 6. Break-up  7. Work 8. Anxiety You may have a different reason why Thanksgiving is not so happy. Whatever reason why your Thanksgiving is not so happy, I want to encourage you with a few tips that I hope will help you. Tip 1: Make a plan. Write down everything you need or want to do for Thanksgiving. Write down what you're going to say, what you'll do, etc. This will give you a sense of control. Tip 2: Smile on purpose. Research shows that when you smile the muscles in your face send "happy" signals to your brain.  Tip 3: Laugh out loud. Similar to smiling on purpose, when you laugh out loud it will trigger the happy part of your brain.  Watch a funny movie