May is Mental Health Month, and this year Mental Health America is encouraging people to focus on creating “more good days, together.” A good day does not have to mean perfect, productive, or stress-free. Sometimes a good day simply means feeling calm, supported, hopeful, or able to manage what is in front of you.
For HR professionals and leaders, Mental Health Month is also an opportunity to remind employees that mental well-being is not just about crisis support. Small daily habits can help people build resilience, reduce stress, and feel more grounded over time.
Two simple tools that continue to gain attention for their mental health benefits are affirmations and journaling.
Why Affirmations Work
Affirmations are short statements people repeat to themselves to reinforce values, strengths, and positive intentions. According to Mental Health America, affirmations help people focus on what matters most, making stress feel less overwhelming while supporting confidence and resilience. Research has shown they can improve well-being, reduce anxiety, and strengthen self-esteem.
The key is authenticity. Effective affirmations are not about pretending everything is perfect. They are about reinforcing supportive, realistic beliefs that help people move through difficult moments with greater self-awareness and compassion.
Examples include:
- “I trust my inner wisdom to guide my decisions today.”
- “I give myself permission to rest and recharge.”
- “I can grow at my own pace.”
- “When I slow down, I recognize my resilience and strength.”
Encouraging employees to start their day with a positive reflection, post supportive reminders in shared spaces, or take a brief mental reset during the day can help normalize these practices in the workplace.
The Value of Journaling
Journaling is another tool that can help people process experiences, recognize emotions, and reflect on positive moments that are often overlooked. Mental Health America notes that the physical act of writing also supports learning, memory, and emotional processing.
Research and mental health professionals continue to point to journaling as a practical way to reduce stress, improve self-awareness, and support emotional regulation. Even writing one sentence a day can help people identify patterns, externalize worries, and create a sense of routine and accomplishment.
Simple prompts can make journaling feel less intimidating. A few examples include:
- What is one small thing that brightened my day recently?
- What would make tomorrow feel like a “good day” for me?
- What is one thing I need more of right now: rest, connection, movement, or quiet?
- What is a challenge I have overcome that reminds me of my resilience?
- What is one small way that you can create space for yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, or community to take a brain break today?
Some people prefer gratitude journaling, while others use journaling to process emotions or clarify goals. There is no single “right” approach. The benefit comes from creating intentional space for reflection.
Supporting Mental Health at Work
HR leaders do not need elaborate programs to encourage mental wellness. Often, the most meaningful support comes from creating a culture where employees feel safe acknowledging stress, taking breaks, asking for help, and prioritizing their well-being without guilt.
This Mental Health Month, consider encouraging employees to try one small practice:
- Start the day with an affirmation
- Spend five minutes journaling
- Pause for a brief mental reset
- Reflect on one positive moment each day
- Check in with a colleague or team member
Small actions may not eliminate stress, but they can help create more good days over time.
If someone is struggling, remind them that support is available and they are not alone. Mental Health America also offers free, anonymous mental health screening tools and resources online.
Find all Mental Health America Mental Health Month resources here.
ASE Connect
Please visit the ASE Wellness Resources page for additional mental health resources.