Dori Foster-Morales

This week, as we prepare for the start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving, it’s vital we keep our  mental health and general well-being front and center and on the very top of our holiday to-do lists. Now more than ever, we must prioritize our mental and emotional states.

For many of us, the number of guests at our Thanksgiving tables may be much smaller this year as we plan to celebrate with our immediate families due to COVID-19. I imagine that these smaller and more intimate celebrations shall mark all of our holiday celebrations this year. Coupled with the routine stressors of the holiday season like shopping for gifts, planning and cooking elaborate meals, and navigating complicated family dynamics, all of which are exacerbated by the pandemic, we are all facing an even more stressful holiday season than in years past, making it more important than ever to focus on our mental health.