Thanksgiving is a time of abundance, thankfulness, and delicious food, but it's also typically accompanied by stress. In fact, nearly three-fourths of respondents to a recent online survey by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America said the holiday season made them feel more worried or depressed.

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The celebrations throw one or two unexpected curveballs due to travel time, sharing personal updates with distant family members, and finding out how to defrost a turkey. It’s a good idea to put into practice these four practical strategies to assist you in handling any stress associated with the festivities, whenever it arises, in order to help you appreciate the sweeter side of the season.

1. Breathe

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We all love family, but sometimes, they make unfortunate decisions when it comes to their comments. Before replying to a question or remark that makes you uncomfortable, take a big, deep breath.

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Do you have a friend or relative that keeps asking you about details you'd prefer not to share? Or perhaps your sibling touched a sensitive nerve, causing you to feel angry or upset.

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You might say something you later regret if you react in the heat of the moment. Give yourself a mental and emotional break before answering what you believe to be a snarky, condescending, or generally improper comment or question.

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One helpful, calming technique is diaphragmatic breathing. According to Harvard Business Review, an analysis of a number of stress management approaches revealed that breathing exercises were the most efficient for both short-term and long-term stress reduction.

Place your hand on your abdomen, just above your navel.

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Breathe in, through your nose, with your belly – you should feel your stomach inflate.

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Hold your breath for three seconds, and release.

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Afterward, you'll probably feel more rested and detached from the question or remark, enabling you to respond more composedly. You can get up from the dinner table, go to the bathroom, take a couple of these deep diaphragmatic breaths, and come back feeling a little more at ease.

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2. Have some conversation changers ready

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Have you watched any recent Netflix shows? Those Lakers, how 'bout 'em?

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If someone in your family brings up a subject that bothers you or anyone else, change the subject to something uplifting. If you truly must shift the topic, make sure you have conversational topics prepared.

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Have a few conversational bridges at the ready-to-switch topics without being abrupt.

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Introduce the new subject with a captivating opening, such as "Oh, that reminds me, I've been meaning to tell you!" or shift your attention to someone else, such as the person you are conversing with. Sometimes all it takes to get you out of an uncomfortable spotlight is to ask, "What are your thoughts on the matter?"

3. Be in control of what you can control

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Take advantage of the fact that you’re the host and give yourself a setup that will ensure a less stressful night:

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-To prevent emotional stutters, arrange the seating charts beforehand (we usually know who Aunt Margaret can sit next to and who she can’t). This will help avoid uncomfortable situations.

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-Replace alcoholic drinks with a specialty sparkling cider (if drinking is an issue for some guests).

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-Enlist your close friends and/or family to help you prepare your home for visitors, set the table, and clean up afterward if you need help with the cleaning.

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-Will there be a lot of leftovers? To free up some space in your fridge, ask visitors to bring tupperware so they may take some with them home.

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It might seem like they’re just small details, but having a plan beforehand can make a huge difference during get-togethers.

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4. Create an emotional space for yourself

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Go take a stroll, pull up your meditation app for 15 minutes of pre-meal peace, or schedule a therapy session a few days before your guests arrive.

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If you already know that you’re in for a complicated “toxic” time, give yourself some extra mental room and a chance for your feelings to be heard.

And finally, try to relax and concentrate on the good. It doesn’t really matter how much you prepare, there's always a possibility that things won't go the way you want them to, so try to enjoy as much as you can and focus on the positive.

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Happy Thanksgiving!