Here’s a mini preparation for Thanksgiving that adds healthy anticipation and benefit to your life and our community. Enjoy!
Week 1: We all are likely still in the process of recovering from Midterms week, so the first order of business in preparation for Thanksgiving is to get healthy! (Mentally and physically.) Remember all of that stress from midterms and those study snacks from staying up X amount of hours more than we normally do? I’m down to forget that, too.
- Pick out a short leisure book (100-200) pages. Read about 10 pages every day or so for meditation. That’s an easy, relaxing 30 minutes of your day to bring you to a peaceful anticipation for the holidays. It’s like a relaxing, non-stress inducing countdown. The Last Lecture by Randy Pough is an incredible, short read. It’s a book that can benefit anyone’s life and is so positive and encouraging. Very uplifting from the weight of that time of the semester!
- Go on a walk a few times this week. Check out the beautiful sunsets at White Rock Lake and enjoy the 70 degree Texas fall breeze before it’s too late.
Week 2: We all appreciate seasonal aspects of each holiday. Let’s try some (healthy) seasonal holiday recipes for snacks and dessert to prepare for Thanksgiving. These delicious seasonal apple pie scones and southwestern sweet potato salad will get you excited for the holiday and healthier for the holidays!
Week 3: After “detoxing” mentally and trying some new recipes out, you’ll probably want some cute outfits for Thanksgiving break. Considering the holiday is about giving thanks, perhaps, you have some clothes you can donate. There’s a Goodwill donation center on lower Greenville that would be so thankful for you to stop by with a giving heart! You never know whose day you’ll make. Then, when you treat yourself to that cute outfit, you may be more appreciative and in the holiday spirit. Next, make a schedule for your week, so you finish the week feeling accomplished and unrushed when you come back from break. Maybe, go home with hand-written thank-you notes for your loved ones. Those mean more than we think nowadays. Another idea to pass time during the final week before the holiday (if you have a solid break during your busy schedule) is to volunteer or prepare meals for those who may not have an “ideal” Thanksgiving this year.