Start Thanksgiving with fun and healthy family traditions
Start Thanksgiving with fun and healthy family traditions
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted just about every aspect of life including holidays. This year’s Thanksgiving celebration will likely be very different from past holidays for most people, but 2020 is also an opportunity to begin new and healthy traditions. Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays celebrated in the U.S. as it involves football, family and of course food. Traditionally, friends and family travel long distances for a large gathering. These are two activities not recommended during a pandemic. Coronavirus rates continue to rise in the region, even surpassing numbers seen in March and April.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided recommended guidelines for celebrating Thanksgiving during the pandemic which can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping/holidays.html. People are encouraged to participate in small or virtual gatherings this year, continue wearing masks, and maintain social distancing from those outside their household. Although long-standing customs may be altered this year, Thanksgiving in 2020 can still be a great celebration focused on community and gratefulness which are the fundamental components of the holiday. Below is a list of ideas for new Thanksgiving traditions with a wellness focus.
1 Start Thanksgiving morning with a yoga session to set the tone for the rest of the day Gather the family in a common space with room enough to spread out, then perform several yoga poses together. There’s not much required except some comfy clothes and a comfortable floor setting. Yoga is an activity that has both physical and mental health benefits. The practice involves stretches, breathing techniques and meditation. According to the American Osteopathic Association, physical benefits of yoga include improved energy, increased flexibility and weight reduction. Mental benefits include helping to manage stress, increasing body awareness and sharpening concentration.
2 Take a hike or walk after the Thanksgiving meal to help work off some of those calories An afternoon hike or walk is the perfect group exercise to do after the holiday meal. Thanksgiving is also known as “Turkey Day,” and eating delicious foods is part of th e celebration. A walk or hike will help burn some of those added calories and provide an opportunity to spend some quality time as a family. Fall is a great season for walking since nature offers a picturesque scene with changing leaf colors. Spending time in nature has several health benefits and can be just what the doctor ordered to help manage stress.
3 Enjoy a group bike ride at a local park or trail Bicycling is a great way to get some exercise and it’s also very fun. There’s something about flying down hills on two wheels that makes you feel free. Riding bikes is a great group activity since it’s something both children and adults can do. Find a local park with a path or a neighboring trail to explore sights outside.
4 Have a family dance competition Dancing is not always seen as exercise, but it should be because it certainly gets the body moving and heart pumping. It’s hard to not laugh and smile while dancing to music. With the stress-related events of 2020, a dance break is exactly what a lot of us need. Prepare for the holiday by making a Thanksgiving playlist of songs. Then take it one step further this Thanksgiving and organize a full dance competition. Record one another doing dance moves to share with families and friends who you couldn’t celebrate in person with this year.
5 Try a new, healthier recipe this holiday Thanksgiving is one of the more foodfocused holidays of the year and not all those foods are the healthiest. The cooks in the family may have some extra time on their hands if they’re not preparing a meal for as big of a group this year. Use that time to try and experiment with new, healthier recipes to add to the table. Get the whole family involved and maybe even have a cook-ff.
6 Take part in a 5K or Turkey Trot Thanksgiving 5K events and Turkey Trots are common around this time of the year. Some of these events may have gone virtual but that just means you decide when and where to do the running. Get the family together and begin Thanksgiving morning with a run so you don’t feel as guilty when you get seconds, or even thirds, of all those side dishes. Families can add even more fun by dressing up for the occasion. This can mean wearing turkey costumes or wearing matching outfits as a group.