Hi everyone! My name is Diana Garcia and I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and founder of a private practice called Nurturing Minds Counseling.

We’ve been doing 12 days of holiday tips to help you manage your stress level during the holiday season. Today we’re on tip number eleven, but you can check out the previous post so far:

  1. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 1: Three-minute breathing exercise.
  2. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 2: Listing your triggers
  3. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 3: Noting your specific thoughts.
  4. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 4: Identify and label your emotions.
  5. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 5: Allowing and validating your emotional experience
  6. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 6: Opposite Action
  7. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 7: Prioritizing Self-Care
  8. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 8: Managing Personal Expectations
  9. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 9: Letting Go of Comparison
  10. Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 10: Acceptance

Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 11: Seeking Support

Today’s tip focuses on the vital role of seeking support during the holiday season. Whatever your holiday looks like this year, it’s essential to reach out for help and connection. The past year has been particularly challenging for many, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. As we approach the holidays, these feelings can intensify, making it even more crucial to establish supportive connections. Scroll down to keep reading the blog of watch the video below if you prefer that format.

Watch Video: “Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 11”

Read Blog: “Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 11”

Tip 11 is being conscious of seeking healthy support systems for you. Notice the word healthy. I say healthy because, especially when we are feeling lonely, we can seek support in areas that aren’t the best just because we want a quick connection.

Consider who in your life fits this “healthy” description. It could be a family member, a close friend, or even a roommate. Reflect on the quality of your connections—do they bring you joy and understanding? If not, it might be time to seek support elsewhere.

In today’s digital age, there are also numerous online support groups available. Here’s some places to get you started if you’re looking for online support for your mental health:

If you’re in recovery or seeking community, organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery offer virtual meetings and resources that can help you feel less isolated. Engaging with others who understand your experiences can be incredibly validating and comforting. Here some place

Additionally, remember that support isn’t just emotional; it can also mean practical help. The holiday season often comes with a long to-do list—buying gifts, wrapping them, planning events, sending cards, and decorating. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do it all yourself.

Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or ask for help. Whether it’s reaching out to friends to help wrap gifts or asking family members to pitch in for holiday meals, sharing the load can alleviate stress and make the holiday more enjoyable for everyone.

Being clear about your support system is crucial. Take a moment to identify who you can turn to during this time. How can you reach out to them? How can you nurture these relationships? Make a plan to build in time with your support system over the holidays, whether it’s a phone call, a video chat, or a simple gathering.

I hope this tip resonates with you as we approach the end of our holiday series. Remember, we’re not meant to do this alone, we need community and connection.

Check out these other resources to take care of yourself during the holiday season: