Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and although it’s meant to be a holiday where we gather with loved ones and reflect on our blessings, it can end up bringing misery to many people.

Instead of feeling grateful, they wind up stuffed, sick, and stressed!

If that sounds familiar, today is your lucky day—I’m sharing three simple strategies that can help you enjoy a comfortable, relaxing, pain-free Thanksgiving.

Here they are:

Happy Thanksgiving Strategy #1: Reduce your stress

There’s no quicker path to a stressful holiday than overcommitting yourself, being disorganized, and striving for perfection.

Set boundaries. Preparing a full Thanksgiving feast is a major undertaking, so don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring a dish to lighten your load.

Remember that less is more. You don’t need 15 side dishes. Keep it simple. And if something doesn’t turn out perfectly, let it go—nobody is expecting a Michelin-star spread.

Learn to say no. If hosting overnight guests feels overwhelming, or if you simply don’t have space for your niece’s boyfriend’s grandmother, it’s OK to say no.

Don’t skip your workout. Even a shortened session can go a long way toward keeping stress in check. Your body—and mood—will thank you.

Get organized and plan ahead. Chop non-starchy vegetables a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge. Pie crusts can be rolled out up to a month ahead, wrapped, and frozen. With fewer tasks left for the big day, you’ll be far more likely to enjoy yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving Strategy #2: Keep it light and luscious

A traditional Thanksgiving spread is often filled with rich, heavy dishes that can leave you feeling bloated and exhausted.

One way to make things easier on your digestive system—while still enjoying a delicious meal—is to lighten things up a bit.

Here are two great side-dish swaps for heavy mashed potatoes and green bean casserole:

Mashed Cauliflower

Serves: 4

• 1 large head cauliflower, broken into florets (fresh or frozen)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half

• 4 tablespoons butter

Boil cauliflower in salted water until tender. Drain and return to the pan.
Mash with a potato masher or immersion blender.
Add milk or half-and-half and butter, mashing until smooth. Adjust with additional milk or butter as desired.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Absolutely Delicious Green Beans

Serves: 4

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed

• 1/3 cup pine nuts

• 1 shallot, peeled and minced

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• Salt and pepper to taste

Toast pine nuts in a 350° oven for 7–8 minutes, until golden.
Boil green beans until just tender, about 5–6 minutes. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
Combine shallot, vinegar, olive oil, and parsley in a small bowl; drizzle over the beans and toss to coat.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Happy Thanksgiving Strategy #3: Naturally soothe indigestion

Thanksgiving is infamous for indigestion! With so many tempting dishes, it’s easy to overdo it—even when you know you’ll pay for it later.

That’s when Gastro BeCalm Blend can make a world of difference.

Gastro BeCalm Blend is a safe, natural solution for both occasional and ongoing digestive discomfort.

Unlike acid reducers and antacids, it combines four well-studied herbs that help calm a stressed stomach and support more comfortable digestion:

Mastic Gum: Shown to combat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)—the bacteria behind most stomach ulcers.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root: A key herb in traditional Chinese medicine, helpful for heartburn, nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain.
Ginger Root: A time-honored antioxidant used for ulcers, nausea, stomach pain, and gas; also shown to inhibit H. pylori and reduce inflammation.
Marshmallow Root: Naturally soothing and protective to inflamed tissues; helpful for heartburn, ulcer symptoms, diarrhea, and constipation.

You CAN enjoy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving can be the joyful, meaningful holiday it’s meant to be.

Take care of yourself, keep stress to a minimum, and give your body the support it needs—and you’ll have plenty to be thankful for.

May God bless you and your family this holiday season.

To your health,
Sherry Brescia