November 2026 Doctor’s Advice – Giving Thanks

November is the month where the world slows down and puts away it’s summer attire. We see the changing colors of the leaves while we walk outside and hear the crisp, grass and leaves crackle under our shoes. November marks a brisk transition into late autumn highlighted by the end of Daylight-Saving Time on November 1 and the arrival of shorter days. The month opens with general and midterm-related elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. As the month progresses past mid-November, we shift our focus toward seasonal gatherings and year-end traditions. As families prepare for Thanksgiving, it signals the official start of the winter holiday countdown.

November is a time to reflect on the importance of giving thanks. As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us take the opportunity to express appreciation for the blessings in our lives, fostering a sense of community and connection. We should be thankful for many things. Having a warm home is a given for most of us. The homeless are not so fortunate. Helping them with food and clothes donations or volunteering at Warming Centers (I volunteer at the two in Red Bank) can help them enjoy a respite from their daily less fortunate routines. Food prices are high. People with little or no money for food can avail themselves to places like Lunch Break, JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Center, Riverside Church Warming Center, and the Fulfill Food Truck (first Thursday of the month at Pilgrim Baptist Church).

We can also be thankful for all of our doctors and nurses and other Healthcare Professionals who help those less fortunate than ourselves.

The Parker Family Health Center (PFHC) provides free medical care for Monmouth County residents who meet certain requirements and who are without any medical insurance. The PFHC offers general medical care provided by a core medical staff supported by local medical volunteers. In addition, the Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy in Red Bank provides free prescription medications to those who are uninsured.

While we all gather for warm meals and family traditions this month, homeless individuals often experience heightened loneliness, or separation from family. Finding a safe, warm place to sit down and eat a meal becomes a daily problem rather than a given. November weather can bring freezing temperatures, rain, or even some snow, which can turn a lack of shelter into a dangerous survival test. In November we see the start of seasonal charity programs which provide much needed support to those in need. However, this can also emphasize the transient nature of how we view ‘homeless’ the rest of the year when they also need help. National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is held annually in the week before Thanksgiving (November 16–26, 2026), to coordinate food and clothing drives and advocacy to spotlight these issues.  

While mainstream culture highlights warm family gatherings and abundance, the holiday can magnify feelings of invisibility, loss, and disconnection for those living on the streets or in vehicles.

Standard routines like finding open restrooms, clean water, or a warm place to sit become much harder when local businesses and offices close for the holiday.

Many homeless people spend the day moving between gas stations, rest stops, or public parks, careful not to stay in one spot too long to avoid being asked to move. Waking up and surviving another day through harsh weather or dangerous conditions is often the primary source of gratitude.

We can also help those less fortunate by spending time visiting elderly neighbors or individuals in long-term care who may not have family nearby.

Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. Poor people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often, it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income that must be dropped. Those with low income are essentially an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets. So, help out when you can.

For many people, November also carries a unique wave of childhood nostalgia. Depending on where you grew up, it often brings back memories. Some of these may include:

·      Smelling Thanksgiving dinner cooking, helping out in the kitchen and flipping through toy catalogs to build your holiday wish list.

·      Dusting off heavy winter coats, wearing oversized sweaters, and watching your breath turn into mist for the first time that year.

·      Walking or riding the bus home from school just as the sun was already starting to dip below the horizon, making evenings feel long, quiet, and relaxed.

 To enjoy November while staying healthy, you can balance seasonal festivities with solid routines for nutrition, movement, and preventive care. Enjoy seasonal traditions while protecting your physical energy and mental health. Stay updated on flu and pneumonia vaccinations, which are critical as cold and dry air arrive. Prioritize vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber to stabilize blood sugar during holiday meals. Aim for about 7 hours nightly by keeping a cool, dark room and cutting off screen time before bed. Protect your time by learning to say no to social obligations that drain your energy.

Wishing you a beautiful November packed with healthy days and happy moments. Happy Thanksgiving!

The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. – Hippocrates

James McGuinness, M.D., is a Family Physician in Middletown and is the Medical Director Emeritus of the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank.