The Thanksgiving holiday began some 400 years ago as a day for celebrating the harvest. Over the centuries, what began as an informal harvest celebration has evolved into a federally-recognized holiday that binds the nation together, especially in hard times. But during a pandemic, we need to reconsider cherished traditions to stay safe and stay connected at Thanksgiving.
Many of us have grown accustomed to sharing a Thanksgiving feast with friends and family. Traditional favorites include turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, although everyone seems to have their own variations on what constitutes an ideal Thanksgiving meal.
This year, our plans for Thanksgiving may look a little different. Restrictions on travel and gathering due to COVID concerns may keep us from observing the holiday in our usual ways with cherished people. Such disruptions can easily lead to anxiety and loneliness, which disrupt vagus nerve activity and increase harmful inflammation in the brain.
With a positive mindset, we can stay safe and stay connected. Thanksgiving can be a brain booster–even during a pandemic.
STAY SAFE
This is not the first Thanksgiving to be celebrated amidst a pandemic. In November 1918, the deadliest flu pandemic in recent history was at its worst in the U.S. But the pandemic’s risks were downplayed by politicians and press alike.
For example, President Wilson issued a Thanksgiving proclamation that encouraged Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks for the victorious end of World War I. Many people enjoyed their traditional gatherings, at a great cost. Ultimately, some 675,000 Americans died in the 1918-1920 flu pandemic.
Today, there is no shortage of media coverage about the pandemic. As a result, we know some easy ways to stay healthy. Frequent hand-washing, wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and sheltering in place have helped many people avoid catching the coronavirus.
But given the circumstances, it’s time to find some new ways to celebrate Thanksgiving that preserve the holiday’s meaning: to give thanks for the goodness in life.
STAY CONNECTED
Social connection is vital to our brain health, gut health, and immune system, so we can’t do without it. What are some new ways you can celebrate Thanksgiving while keeping yourself and others safe? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Relive your traditions.
One of the greatest blessings of life over 50 is the power of reminiscing. Maybe your holiday will be less busy this year, giving you a chance to reminisce about Thanksgivings past. Share your memories with friends and family by phone or mail if you can’t get together with them. This is good brain exercise that also generates anti-pain, anti-inflammatory hormones in the brain.
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Have some fun.
In 1918, the telephone was unreliable and no one had smart phones, the internet, or Zoom! Play a game, sing a song, recite a poem, or dance a jig remotely with people you cannot get together with.
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Decorate a door, window, or table.
Decorations are a way of reminding ourselves that we share the meaning of a holiday. Common Thanksgiving decorating themes include autumn leaves, turkeys, pumpkins, gourds, apples, and the cornucopia as a sign of plenty. Add some decorations to your abode and send a picture to your friends and family.
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Help someone else.
Make a casserole or pumpkin pie for someone you know who is down in the dumps or recovering from an illness or surgery. Your kindness will brighten the holiday for both of you.
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Count your blessings to get to sleep.
Irving Berlin, the famous composer, suffered from stress-related insomnia. Complaining to his doctor that counting sheep didn’t work, the doctor suggested that he count his blessings instead of sheep. This worked so well for him that he turned the experience into a song for the movie “White Christmas,” which includes these words:
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep,
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
When my bankroll is gettin’ small,
I think of when I had none at all.
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
Our circumstances might be similar to Berlin’s for Thanksgiving 2021. Maybe some new activities you enjoy this year will become new traditions for you, come what may. Remember to stay focused on the cornucopia of goodness in life. Your brain will appreciate it, and your friends, family, and neighbors will too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
