Inside the Event: Issue #4
✨ Mental Health Awareness Month: Timely inspiration, vendor recs, and how I take care of my mental health ✨
🌷 April Recap
Plant Pros 🌱
All month long, we hosted a Plant Pros series and employees loved it! Folks took home clippings and mini plants, planted herbs in our office garden, and asked all the best questions.
Our building also got in the spirit—seed ball-making and plant-based ice cream for the win. 😋
Bring Your Kids to Work Day
This event is always magical. Every year, kids’ faces light up as they walk into their parent or caregiver’s workplace. Over the years, I’ve learned that kids are pretty easy to please—but the real fun is in the surprise and delight.
This year’s theme? Financial literacy for the kiddos! We gave out piggy banks and taught them what it means to spend and save. They could “buy” hot chocolate, balloon animals, raffle tickets—or save their cool coins.
We also interviewed the kids: “What does your parent do at work?” The answers were hilarious and adorable.
Next year, we’re excited to add a panel and more educational elements. I always leave BYKTWD with extra empathy and appreciation for the parents and caregivers in our community. You’re doing amazing. 💜
🧠 Mental Health Awareness Month
I’ve always been deeply passionate about wellness (shoutout to my Greatist days 💪), and Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder of how much this work still matters.
At a wellness company, it was easy to get buy-in. But at companies outside the wellness space? It takes a little more storytelling, a little more ROI. Still, we spend a third of our lives at work—and that means companies have a real opportunity (and responsibility) to support employee well-being.
Simple ways to show up:
💜Ask coworkers how they’re really doing. Not just “how are you?” but really ask.
📩 Send a newsletter reminder about your company’s benefits. So many people don’t know—or forget—that they have access to mental health support.
🧘 Invite employees to share. You never know who on your team might want to lead a meditation, host a journaling session, or share their favorite mindfulness tool.
Some of my favorite ideas + vendors:
💤 Dr. Ellen Vora – Her workshops on anxiety and sleep are incredible (and her voice is instantly calming). You can book her through Exubrancy You can listen to her on a Move With Heart podcast episode here.
🎧 Sound Bath Meditations – These are always a hit—virtual or in-person and so calming
🖊️ Zen Doodling – We’re trying this soon and I can’t wait
🧘♀️ Within Meditation – Great virtual meditation sessions and wellness workshops; we’ve loved working with Kelsey Lettko
Health Kick has a free mental wellness toolkit you can download.
🧋 AAPI Heritage Month Ideas
We’re gearing up to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in thoughtful, joyful ways:
🥤 Boba bar happy hour
💐 Flower arranging with AAPI and Women ERGs (a lovely Mother’s Day tie-in!)
🥟 Dumplings classes - or chai tasting — Kola Goodies is incredible. My friend Sajani is the founder!
📚 Book club featuring AAPI authors
☕ SF-based team loves Phin Bar —definitely worth checking out
🎉 In Other News...
I’m planning an onsite, and I couldn’t help but smile when a leader said, “Let’s surprise and delight the group with an afternoon treat!”
At our 3:30/4pm break we’re bringing in:
🍹 Mocktail & cocktail bar
🍬 Candy bar
🍿 Popcorn machine
It makes me so happy to hear “surprise and delight” naturally show up in conversations with XFN partners. Music to my ears.
💖 A Few Things That Support My Mental Health
Since this month is about awareness, I wanted to share a few things that have helped me—just in case it helps someone else:
🧠 Therapy – It’s been my anchor through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It helps with relationships, career clarity, and staying grounded. I meet with my therapist every other week and have had a therapist since 2008.
🏃♀️ Movement – There are so many studies out there on how endorphins impact mood, and for me, it rings true. Movement helps me feel grounded and connected to myself. I love Peloton, yoga, running, pilates, all the things!
🌳 Nature walks – I’m lucky to live near Golden Gate Park, and I head there often. It’s the best mental refresh and a wonderful place to start my day.
🧘♀️ Meditation – I’ve wanted to develop a meditation practice for years. It wasn’t until I started drinking tea in the mornings that it finally stuck. I needed to let the tea cool, so I used that time to sit, breathe, and check in with myself. I use Headspace or Peloton. I also love Calm.
💌 Close relationships – I feel incredibly grateful to have wonderful friends and family nearby. They are everything. The support, laughter, and presence they bring into my life is invaluable. Tell the people you love that you love them 💜.
📓 Journaling – Sometimes when something feels off inside, I just need to write it out. I’ve started adding journaling into my morning routine after meditating, and it helps me process and feel lighter.
🎨Art – I find painting, especially in nature, so lovely for the soul! I’ve also been very into embroidery and love having this as a project. I’m grateful I married an artist who brings out my creative side regularly!
🤍 Grace – Giving myself grace. This one is hard for me. I dwell. I’m too hard on myself. Perfectionism sneaks in. But I’m learning to pause, soften, and remind myself: life can be tough, and I’m doing my best. We all are.
✨ My Personal Surprise and Delight
A recent little moment of joy?
I spotted ducklings at the lake near my house—and yes, they are just as tiny, fluffy, and adorable as you’re imagining, I wish I could take one home. 🐥 One of my favorite moments every spring.
✨ That’s it for this month’s Inside the Event! Stay tuned for more creative ideas, vendor recs, and inspiration next month. 💫