💭 Tips for a peaceful Thanksgiving

Thursday 11/27: Sponsored by Forkful and Cash App - Thanksgiving, holiday energy, sickness

Thursday

"I can create calm, even on uncertain days."

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we're chatting about:

  • Tips for a peaceful Thanksgiving

  • How to stay energized through the holidays

  • A meal delivery service if you’re tired of cooking

  • Tips for staying healthy this season

  • How to earn more on your savings

True or False?

Practicing gratitude can help reduce stress hormones.

Scroll for the answer!

How To Protect Your Peace This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings a mix of warm moments and real emotional weight. Even when the day is filled with people you love, the noise, the expectations, and the “How have you been?” conversations can stack up fast. It helps to go in with a loose plan: not for perfection, but for your own peace.

Start with grounding yourself early. A slow morning moment, a few deep breaths, or even stepping outside before the day begins can make the rest feel less chaotic. Set expectations gently: the holiday doesn’t need to be magical to be meaningful, and small joys count just as much as big ones.

If family dynamics feel tricky, give yourself permission to set boundaries around what you talk about, how long you stay, and how much you take on. And don’t underestimate the power of small breaks. A quick walk, a quiet room, or offering to “check on something in the kitchen” can reset your whole mood.

Most of all, remember you’re allowed to take care of yourself, even on a holiday that’s about giving. A moment of gratitude, a breath of fresh air, or simply knowing you can leave when you need to, all of it helps the day feel lighter and more doable.

Ways to Stay Centered Through The Holidays

The holiday season has a way of stretching us thin. Even the joyful parts (gatherings, traditions, the extra glow everywhere) can leave your energy feeling scattered. Over the years, the biggest shift has come from treating the season less like a marathon and more like a rhythm, choosing what actually supports you instead of trying to do everything at once.

Start with your calendar. Leaving a few days intentionally open creates space to breathe, reset, and actually enjoy the moments you want to remember. It also makes saying “no” feel less like a rejection and more like protecting your peace.

Food plays a role, too. Not in a restrictive way, but in a grounding one. Choosing protein-rich or fiber-heavy meals when you can keeps your energy steadier, so the festive treats feel more enjoyable and less like the thing that tips you over the edge. A little movement helps, especially when the days get darker. Think short walks, stretching, or ten-minute bursts that lift your mood without draining you.

And above all, make rest part of the season instead of the reward at the end. Slow mornings, early nights, and quiet pauses can turn the holidays from overwhelming into something that feels warm, steady, and fully yours.

Yes, Chef

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Thank you to Forkful for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Simple Steps To Avoid Holiday Illness

Holiday travel, gatherings, and late nights make this season fun, but also the time when colds, flu, and sore throats spread fast. Doctors say it’s usually a mix of crowded spaces, disrupted sleep, and more hands touching more surfaces than usual.

A few simple habits can make a big difference. Washing hands more often (especially before eating) is still one of the most reliable ways to stay healthy. Keeping a small sanitizer in your bag helps when you’re traveling or moving through busy airports. At home or work, wiping down the things you touch constantly (your phone, keyboard, remote, even your steering wheel) can cut down on the germs you bring into your space.

Your body also needs the basics to stay resilient. Prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and eating balanced meals strengthens your immune system far more than we realize during hectic weeks.

And if you do get sick, don’t push through it. Rest, hydrate, and pay attention to your symptoms. Listening to your body, and slowing down when it asks you to, is the real holiday self-care

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Thank you to Cash App for sponsoring Note To Self.

The Pause

Before you go, take a small pause from your day with this tip brought to you by The Note To Self editors.

Fall Recipe: Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce. Top a round of brie with cranberry sauce and chopped pecans, then bake until melty.

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

  • ✅ True or False: True. Studies show gratitude lowers cortisol and increases heart rate variability.

  • 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

  • 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Gratitude doesn’t have to be loud or showy. It can live in quiet moments—shared meals, small rituals, or just being present with those you love.

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