For physicians, opting out of Thanksgiving can be a form of self-care
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Prioritizing calm, rest, and nourishment instead of pressure-filled socializing helps the nervous system reset and supports overall well-being.
—Alyssa Kushner, LCSW
As a healthcare practitioner, you’ve probably had years where you’ve missed Thanksgiving dinner. Or maybe you’ve ended a too-long shift and made it to the dinner table—only to be bombarded with political debates and family drama. Either way, this time of year is stressful.
Even just thinking about the upcoming social interactions or the work involved in preparing the dinner can overshadow the holiday spirit, which is why people sometimes opt out of Thanksgiving altogether. []
Related: How to manage working the holidays during residencyWhy it's okay to skip Thanksgiving
In fact, nearly a quarter of people considered skipping out on Thanksgiving in 2024 to avoid the inevitable political debate at family dinner, while others skipped hosting family due to high food costs. [] []
Experts say that opting out of the holiday may actually be a form of self-care—and a way to soothe your nervous system. For busy doctors, giving yourself permission not to do it all may be healthy for you.
“For some people, the holiday just feels like too much: too many expectations, too much noise, too much ‘performing’ gratitude, too many ‘So, how’s your job/relationship/life going?’ conversations,” says Elizabeth Bodett-Dresser, LCPC, of Still Oak Counseling.
Instead of pushing yourself to meet everyone else’s expectations, tune in to your own capacity, especially for high achievers and caretakers who are used to running on empty.
—Elizabeth Bodett-Dresser, LCPC
But the mental health benefits aren’t the only win, according to Jennifer Pallian, RD. “The social and cultural environment surrounding Thanksgiving further promotes behaviors that lead to overeating,” she says. “Longer eating durations, easy access to calorie-dense foods, and larger portion sizes make self-regulation difficult. For people who already struggle with weight management or stress-related eating, the holiday atmosphere can be a powerful trigger for emotional or compensatory eating behaviors.”
Alyssa Kushner, LCSW, a licensed therapist at AK Psychotherapy, agrees.
Skipping Thanksgiving can improve sleep, digestion, and immune health. Stress affects every system of the body.
—Alyssa Kushner, LCSW
"Prioritizing calm, rest, and nourishment instead of pressure-filled socializing helps the nervous system reset and supports overall well-being," she says.
Skipping out on Thanksgiving dinner can also be a way to assert boundaries.
“For people who have to reiterate their boundaries repeatedly at family celebrations—like, ‘please don’t kiss the baby, please don’t comment on my body, please don’t make jokes at my expense’—it can be helpful to give yourself a permission slip that you don’t have to do that at every holiday, and you can make the traditions and plans that feel rejuvenating to you,” says Lorain Moorehead, PMH-C, EMDR-C, a licensed psychotherapist at Lorain Moorehead Therapy and Consultation.
In the end, celebrating Thanksgiving is about honoring what truly restores you, whether that’s dining with your loved ones at the dinner table or taking the day off entirely—especially for healthcare workers who are already stretched thin.
