It’s crazy to think that the most awaited holidays of the year may bring so much stress to so many of us. With so many responsibilities, family reunions, elaborate dinners, first time introductions, and you name it, a tiny thing can spark a conflict. Especially in times where people are opinionated about things like politics and coronavirus, as well being as anxious as ever.

And as if the year hasn’t been rough enough, half of Americans think Thanksgiving will be twice as stressful this year because of COVID-19, according to research. The new survey conducted on behalf of HelloFresh found that 53% think the stress will be double this year, with one in ten not even celebrating.

Due to the pressure, with so much up in the air this year with COVID-19, the survey also found 18% of respondents will be cooking their own Thanksgiving dinners for the first time this year. The number of loners on Thanksgiving is somewhat never seen before as the dinner was normally spent with ones' closest family members and/or friends.

Much of the stress is actually heightened by the fact that one is expected to have a perfect evening, with everyone happy to see each other, and having lots of things to catch up on after a chaotic year. So no wonder that the same survey showed that more than a half, 52%, said they feel pressure to make this Thanksgiving absolutely perfect.

Another set of interesting findings about how Americans are going to spend Thanksgiving was made by a Quinnipiac University poll which was released on Monday. It found that 66% of adults are “hoping to avoid” conversations about politics at the dinner table this year, a sentiment that includes most Democrats, Republicans and independents. Meanwhile, 21% of respondents can’t be more excited about the prospect. They said that they are “looking forward” to ​hashing out their political views at a dinner table.

Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst, commented: “A heaping serving of political back and forth with your cranberries and stuffing? No way, say Americans, who would far rather feast on the big meal than feud with each other on Turkey Day.”

T​he poll also shows that Americans are in a giving mood this holiday season, with 89 percent saying they plan to donate “about the same” or “more” to charity than they did last year, while just 7 percent say they plan to give less. According to him, “The pandemic nightmare may have brought emotional, and in some cases, financial upheaval to American homes, but it did not chip away at their charitable instincts.”

Experts warn that high expectations from friends about dinner, gifts and other treats may feel overwhelming and worsen the anxiety. The pressure may result in worsening depression, family fights, or even mental breakdowns. And for those who already suffer from symptoms of depression or anxiety, they can worsen significantly during Thanksgiving.

So let's take a deep breath, everyone! Let those pies drop, turkeys burn, family feuds erupt. If we can't change the world around us, we can at least change our attitude about it. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!