Coping with the holidays is stressful enough, without the continued threat of COVID.

Here's how to approach Thanksgiving 2021, whether you're celebrating with family or by yourself.

Welcome back to Savvy Psychologist. I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches,

a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

I've lived in New York City for the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I have to say,

saying the initial few months was rough is an understatement.

If you weren't an essential worker, big thanks to all of you out there, by the way.

You sheltered in place.

We didn't go outside for anything other than groceries, the pharmacy, and the occasional socially distanced walk or run.

And given the massive surge last winter, many of us missed traveling for the holidays with our families.

It was stressful.

And while today we live in a world where COVID is ever present, we are encouraged to approach life in this new normal.

And that's a whole different kind of stress.

Now it's the holidays again, and there are tough decisions to make.

Mainly, should I stay or should I go?

You might be asking yourself,

do I want to face a potentially angry, maskless passenger on a plane and my uncle with undiagnosed and untreated alcoholism?

Or maybe you're thinking, how do I go through another holiday flying solo?

No matter your situation, I'm here with four tips to help you through this holiday season and the new normal.

Tip number one, accurately assess your level of COVID comfort.

This is something that I have consistently asked my patients to consider throughout this entire pandemic.

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