10 Surefire Ways of Coping at Work During Thanksgiving

The thought of spending the holiday away from your loved ones bums you out, as you're unable to negotiate with your boss about Thanksgiving. You must report to the office while the majority of Americans have their fill of turkey. There's no need to curse your back luck (or whatever you call it), as this might be a blessing in disguise.

Your family may invite relatives without your knowing, and you don't get along with one or two. You haven't forgotten last year's festivity, where you volunteered to cook the turkey. You even assured your folks that it would be a delectable dish, but it almost got burned. (You would blame your pet Frenchie, an eight-month-old of cuteness.) You were bloated after (last year's) Thanksgiving, even suspecting that you were ten pounds heavier. It was your imagination, it took you weeks before you didn't notice the love handles.

Spending your Thanksgiving in the office isn't as bad as you first would think. There will be temptations, even bouts of envy. Make sure you have it all planned out.

How to make the most out of the stressful day

You should have done your errands prior to Thanksgiving, as you don't want to get caught in the crowd. You should wake up early, long before everyone else. (Avoid the traffic at all cost.) You already have your (Thanksgiving) lunch/dinner with your family, with or without the turkey. (It's not about the food.) Here are the other (friendly) reminders:

Forget social media. Your buddies want to keep you updated, but it will only make you miserable. And it can affect your focus on the workplace. If you're one of those people who can't live a day without checking Twitter (or Instagram), then ask your colleague(s) that report to work (during the holiday). It's better than reading posts (or photos) from users you hardly know.

Finish the tasks. You may have some unfinished business, which needs to be done after the holiday. Be grateful. They say that work is the best therapy, and it couldn't be truer than Thanksgiving. What are you waiting for?

Prepare your own Thanksgiving. Your boss won't mind at all, as an empty stomach won't make a happy employee. You should know which of your workmates will join you during the holiday. If no one has thought about Thanksgiving lunch, then don't wait for any of them to bring it up. It's the right occasion to socialize with your colleagues, talking about football (or planning on Black Friday shopping). It will be wise to skip the turkey.

Don't be grumpy. It can't be helped especially if you notice people passing by your window, probably going to the mall. And then you notice something. (It might be you or it's the aroma that is bothering you. You don't mind, though.) You surely have heard the laughter somewhere. Don't forget to smile. It can be a tall order on that particular day, but a grumpy face will affect your mood. You won't be able to end the (working) day on a high note. Another thing will be the reality, which is hard for you. Don't even make it harder.

You're not alone. If you happen to be the only one in the office, then don't feel sorry for yourself. There are other employees who have a job to do during Thanksgiving, and they might be getting stressed out. (Think about the hospital.) Keep yourself busy, which helps you not notice the time.

Call your family. You're permitted to call during any time of the day. It doesn't have to be an important matter, as a familiar voice will inspire you to finish the job. If your mother is preparing the turkey, then you can remind her to save a piece for you.

Greet your friends. A generous heart will brighten up your (busy) day.

Listen to music. It doesn't mean that you have to play your favorite songs all day. Do it before you start the work. If you're not that type of person, then play a song (or two) during a break. Don't do it during lunch hour, as it will be better to spend it with your colleagues.

Look forward to the coming weeks. There will be an instance when your mind wanders somewhere. It happens during a regular (working) day, and this particular occasion won't worry you at all. You can think about your upcoming plans, which will keep you in a good mood. It can be a date night, if not an event that you have been planning for months. If you don't have one, then it won't hurt if you can set aside ten minutes (for this one).

Plan your holiday. You have made up on seeking a warmer place during the Yuletide. You didn't have the time during these past weeks, and you won't be able to think of one later. (You have a job to do.) It doesn't have to be a detailed plan. (The most memorable trip doesn't follow an itinerary.) This should keep you from getting green with envy whenever you see those jolly faces outside the window.

The benefits of working during a holiday

You're about to be short of cash, and you have bills to pay soon. Don't pass this opportunity. You'll also earn recognition, but you'd rather think of extra vacation days. (It might be arranged.) There aren't many people around in the office, which gives you the chance to show off your leadership skill. If you'd rather be a team player, then think about problem solver. (A task may arise prior to the holiday.) Lastly, you'll get some personal satisfaction at the end of the day. Better do something than not do anything at all.