Abstract: A method of using chatbots defined as digital services for personalized support for stress management is provided. A chatbot stimulates conversation with human users. A suite of chatbots is a group of functionally and broadly domain-related multiple chatbots, which nevertheless have different identities and/or different knowledge sub-domains which are presented to the user. The specific stress management addressed herein is related to daily stressors which are defined as daily acute issues such as deadlines or difficult social interactions that can generate perceived stress whose intensity can range from mild to severe. As a routine part of everyday life, these stressors are normally repetitive, and their negative effects can be cumulative if they are not appropriately dealt with in a timely way. The method of using chatbots delivers micro-interventions which lower barriers in time and commitment for users in daily stress management.

Abstract: Embodiments for responding to user stress are provided. In one embodiment, a method performed on a computing device comprises detecting a contact area size on a mouse in communication with the computing device, assessing a user stress level based on the contact area size, and outputting an indication of the user stress level.

Abstract: A computer system is described for providing intervention suggestion information to a user, for the purpose of changing a psychological state of the user. The information suggestion information identifies at least one recommended intervention, selected from a pool of candidate interventions. Each candidate intervention, in turn, involves a type of computer-related activity with which the user is likely already familiar. The computer system formulates the intervention suggestion information in the form of one or more messages, delivered to one or more user devices, such as a mobile user device, or a mobile user device in conjunction with an ambient presentation device. According to one optional aspect, the computer system chooses the recommended interventions based on context information. According to another aspect, the computer system selects interventions by adopting a particular balance between an exploitation mode and an exploration mode.