Take a deeeeep breath.

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of a rainstorm coming from your phone as you sit for a 15 minute morning meditation—completely undisturbed. Or maybe your wellness fantasy is more along the lines of endorphins flowing through your veins as you go for a run in the warm, spring sunshine. Or the feeling of release after an especially freeing therapy session. Tomorrow is the first day of May, which means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. You (and your team) deserve an extra dose of self-care and reflection this month as you prioritize healthy mental health habits and education. We’re hoping this newsletter sets you off to a great start. ??

A few mental health resources for HR pros…

A recent study from One Medical found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers reported struggling with mental health issues. As HR professionals, you’re often the first point of contact for employees who might be struggling. So how can you help? Here are a few ideas…

• Become more educated yourself and understand how mental health impacts your team.
• Consider including mental health coverage as part of your health care plan.
• Invest in resources like Calm or Headspace for employees.
• Talk about mental health on a regular basis and provide opportunities for check-ins. Open communication reduces stigma and increases awareness.
• Promote well-being and workplace balance. Lead by example!

It’s self-care time.

Treat yo’ self. But for real… Self-care can seriously help improve your mental health by reducing stress, improving resilience, and increasing energy. Check out these 5 ideas:

1. Start a reading habit. Even just 15 minutes a day will help you chip away at your to-read list.
2. Disrupt an unwanted habit. Atomic Habits has some great hacks for this. (Psst, the author, James Clear , is coming to HR Virtual Summit this year!)
3. Send a thoughtful note to a friend. That person you keep meaning to catch up with—they’re probably thinking of you, too.
4. Visit a local attraction. Book a time to visit a museum, national park, or popular restaurant this month.
5. Try out a new app like BetterHelp , Calm , Talkspace , or Headspace . It could be just the thing to turn to during the toughest parts of the day.

Does your desk need a spring cleaning? ??????

We love a little ? desk refresh. ? Start by clearing off your desk and wiping everything down. Goodbye dust. Give a quick wipe to your laptop, desktop, keyboard… Goodbye germs. And now it’s time to spruce. Add a mood bulletin board and pin up photos that make you happy. Go print out some pics of your kids or dogs or the Bahamas. Buy a candle that you love or try your luck at keeping a plant alive. Fresh desk = fresh energy for you.?

Attack of the Screens

How many screens do you usually use for work? Are you a multiple monitor person or a single laptop type? We polled our audience and found that 56% use 2 monitors while 19% use 3 or more. ?? Let your voice be heard. Cast your vote here.?

Bambooligans in the Wild: A Caribbean Cruise ??

Cruises. Do you love them? Do you hate them? We’re giving tips this month for a cruise that hit Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Croix, and Bimini, courtesy of Bambooligan Brandon McMillan .

• The one thing you cannot miss: Karaoke! Luckily there's no video evidence of my musical renditions, but karaoke is always a fun way to unwind with old and new friends.
• Best thing you ate? My favorite dish had to be the kalbi (marinated beef short ribs). I recommend trying every restaurant at least once.
• Know before you go... Basic cruise 101: bring your sunscreen/sunglasses and wear them; be open to trying new things and meeting new people; plan to wake up early to watch the sunrise at sea.

Have you registered for HRVS yet?

Our 10th annual HR Virtual Summit is just around the corner. Click here to register!

It’s 100% free and all watchable from the comfort of your home/office. Bonus: you’ll get SHRM credit just for attending. Mark your calendars for May 22!