Holiday Stress? Digital Mental Health Tools Offer Remote Relief

By Dr. Donald Tavakoli

The holiday season, while a time for connection and celebration, frequently exacerbates stress, anxiety, and sadness for many people. Increased mental health challenges stem from various pressures, including navigating complex family dynamics and facing financial or social strain due to expectations around gift-giving and traditions.

Given the continuing rise in mental health concerns, easily accessible and flexible digital resources have become essential for managing wellness, even when typical routines are disrupted. These technologies offer crucial support during the holidays and beyond.

Digital capabilities provide tailored, accessible options for managing holiday stress. Platforms such as Calm Health deliver self-directed, on-demand content and tools, including meditation, mindfulness, and sleep support.

For those with lower-severity needs, these wellness applications offer personalized programming and industry-standard screenings, with referral options for higher-severity concerns, empowering users to manage stress and anxiety on their own terms.

Furthermore, virtual platforms offer human support through virtual coaches, who provide tools for navigating thoughts and emotions. These programs are specifically designed to address common holiday stressors, such as challenging family conversations or heightened anxiety.

Finally, with routine disruptions like travel common during the holidays, access to care can be difficult; however, telehealth resources allow individuals to connect with mental health professionals from virtually anywhere, ensuring continuous support and helping to mitigate the risk of depression and anxiety.

(Author Dr. Tavakoli, UnitedHealthcare National Medical Director for Behavioral Health, suggests adopting a proactive approach to mental wellness before symptoms peak.)