Spring Health

December has a way of quietly increasing anxiety. End-of-year deadlines, family dynamics, travel, social obligations, and the pressure to enjoy it all can add up fast. One evidence-based approach that’s especially useful during high-stress periods is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It focuses on practical skills you can use in everyday moments, not just during a therapy session. A few CBT techniques clinicians often recommend: 💭 When anxiety spikes, start by noticing the thought instead of fighting it. Ask yourself whether it’s a fact or an assumption. Then look for a more balanced alternative. This can interrupt worry loops before they escalate. 🐌 If anxiety is driving avoidance, gradual exposure can help. Start smaller than you think. One low-pressure step is often enough to show your brain that discomfort is manageable. 😮💨 The body matters too. Slow breathing, muscle relaxation, and grounding techniques help calm the nervous system so your mind can respond more clearly. 📓 Writing things down also helps. Thought records and simple anxiety logs make patterns easier to see and help separate what you fear might happen from what actually does. CBT works best through consistency, not perfection. Even a few minutes a day can make these skills more automatic, which matters during busy, emotionally loaded seasons like the holidays.

On December 17, Spring Health is hosting our Q4 Product Webinar, where our product and marketing leaders will walk through what we’ve launched, what’s coming next, and how customers can get more value from the platform. We’ll cover updates across Atlas, Compass, AI enhancements grounded in the VERA-MH framework, and new Journeys focused on Women’s Health, Grief & Loss, and Caregiving — plus a preview of our Q1 2026 roadmap. 📅 December 17, 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET 🎤 Featuring Gijo Mathew and Alisha Nagendran Hope to see you there! Happy Holidays!

What’s showing up on employees’ mental health wishlists this year? 🎅 🎁 Benefits that feel easy to navigate—not like a second job 🎁 Support that meets people where they are 🎁 More proactive care, fewer crises 🎁 Flexible options for different needs, personalities & schedules 🎁 Tools that help people take the first step—without stigma 🎁 Clearer paths to support for everything from stress to chronic conditions to grief 🎁 One place to go (instead of five logins, three portals & a scavenger hunt) It’s a reminder of what employees are craving in a rapidly evolving world and why having a mental health partner that actually checks their boxes (hi, that’s us) can make all the difference.

Caring for You, As You Care for Others  At Target, we know that caring for our guests and our communities starts with caring for our team. As we head into the holidays, we’re reminding team members to take care of themselves, too. That’s why we’re proud to offer Spring Health, a free and confidential mental health benefit available to all U.S. and global owned brand team members and their households. Spring Health connects team members to personalized support — from coaching to therapy — helping them access care quickly and confidently, at no cost. We caught up with a few store leaders who have used Spring Health. Melanie D., Executive Team Leader of HR, shared: “We show up every day for our teams. We also have to show up for ourselves. Using the resource of Spring Health, we are building ourselves up. We are investing in ourselves.” Through Spring Health, our team members and their households have access to:  x Private and confidential care x Local and online resources for housing, food security, child care, and more  x Coaching, therapy, and mental well-being tools designed for every need Coaching has been a huge support to many Target leaders. “I really enjoy working with people, whether it’s my team or a guest, making sure they have a great experience and seeing the smile on their face when they leave. As a store director, working with an LCC through Spring Health has been very impactful.” -Malcolm O., Store Director When our team members feel supported, they can bring their best to everything they do. ❤️ Learn more about Spring Health and how we’re supporting our team’s well-being: https://lnkd.in/gybx4CUu ?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=goodjobs&utm_content=springhealth. #Target #SpringHealth #TeamMemberWellbeing #CareInAction 

Two in five Americans report their stress increasing during the holidays (APA, 2023). The biggest sources of stress? Financial concerns, finding the right gifts, and missing loved ones. So, if you’re feeling more on edge lately, remember that you’re not alone. Now’s the time to tap into healthy stress coping mechanisms, like practicing mindfulness, making time for rest, and saying “no” without guilt. You got this.

HR teams are in charge of looking after everyone else. They’re expected to juggle complex employee issues, and because #HR is a window into an organization and the people working within it, it also comes with a wide range of stressors. Read tips on how HR can build emotional resilience, plus how the organizations they work for can create systems to support the people who support everyone else. Thank you to Superside’s Joaquin Migliore, ThredUp’s Natalie Breece, Spring Health’s Kelsey Witmer and ORC's Kayshia Kruger for your insight! https://lnkd.in/g3igN9AN

Life doesn’t pause when work begins. People are grieving, caregiving, navigating health changes, rebuilding confidence in their bodies, trying to hold it all together. Journeys exists for those moment; the quiet, heavy, deeply human ones. And now, four new pathways meet some of the most common challenges people face today: weight and wellness, grief and loss, women’s health, and caregiving. Each offers step-by-step support, tools for the hard days, and connection to someone who understands. Because when care reflects real life, healing feels possible. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4pXdfRz

Taking care of your mental health is worth celebrating, too. Whether you deepened a connection or chose rest over the hustle, it all counts. Small choices add up, especially during a season that can feel full in every direction. See what you’ve already checked off this holiday season, and maybe discover new ideas to support yourself over the next few weeks 💚🎁

Does your company offer Spring Health as a benefit? Go check it out! ☑️ This is a wonderful platform providing therapy and coaching sessions! Have you been feeling stuck and not sure where to go next? Get a coach!! Do you feel overwhelmed and need to talk to someone? Snag a therapist!!! You complete and answer questions and they recommend a match based on how you answered. You are also able to filter for your preferences. I am so thankful for this benefit!!! Both my Coach and Therapist are amazing! My family has access to Spring Health as well! 👏Game 👏 Changer 👏

What would you do about a 10% spike in employer-sponsored healthcare costs next year? Because that’s what U.S. employers are projecting for 2026: 🧾 10% median increase in employer-sponsored healthcare costs 💰 $17,000+ per employee in average healthcare spend 💊 11–12% increase in pharmacy costs Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: Those numbers are being driven, in part, by unaddressed mental health needs that show up as ER visits, inpatient stays, disability claims, and turnover. If you’re signing off on 2026 benefits or under pressure to “bend the trend,” this month's newsletter is a quick read that you won't want to miss. Read the full newsletter and hit "Subscribe" so you don’t miss the next issue.