In Honor of Labor Day, 5 Ways to Better Your Work-Life Balance
Holly C. Wanegar, CFP®
Associate Vice President & Wealth Advisor
With Labor Day approaching, it’s time to start saying goodbye to summer. More than just an extra day off of work, it’s important to remember what Labor Day is meant to celebrate. In addition to recognizing the hard work of our labor force, we’ll also explore five ways to improve your work-life balance. After all, there’s more in life to enjoy than just our careers.
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the Central Labor Union to celebrate workers' contributions to the well-being of our country and the economy. Many years later, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law to make Labor Day a national holiday.1 Now, the first Monday in September is annually dedicated to the hard work and achievements of American workers.
Improving Your Work-Life Balance
We all know how it feels to be overwhelmed by work, and sometimes it can seem like it’s taking over your life. Especially if you own a small business or work from home, it’s easy to feel pressured into making your job your everything. If you find yourself working overtime and constantly thinking about work, it’s time to evaluate how you can change your habits to have a more balanced life. Here are five ways to better your work-life balance.
Plan for Personal Time
Set aside some time for you to do something for yourself. Whether that is going on a hike, reading a book or just unwinding by watching a movie, do something small that makes you happy every day.
Let Yourself Unplug
Stop checking work emails during all hours of the day. Instead, communicate with your colleagues and customers so they can know when you’ll be working and when you won’t be available to respond. Creating, communicating, and abiding by these boundaries is crucial when it comes to maintaining a work-life balance. Take a few hours each day to shut off your phone and enjoy the moment.
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Prioritize Your Health
Keep yourself physically, emotionally and mentally healthy by taking steps to put your health first. Eat healthy meals, especially breakfast before work, sleep at least seven hours each night and schedule time into your day to exercise and move your body. These practices will help you become more energized and productive while boosting your immune system and overall mood. Running yourself ragged will only push you closer to burning out, which can be hard to recover from.
Invest in Relationships
Don’t let work keep you from your loved ones. Plan for quality time with your family and friends, even if you live with them. Make room in your schedule to see loved ones throughout the week when possible, not just on the weekends.
Leave Work at Work
With some of us working remotely, this can be easier said than done. Wherever you spend your time working, make it a point to stick to your scheduled work hours and have a designated workspace. Making plans for shortly after your workday ends could help you to stop working for the day and get on with the next activity.
Creating a work-life balance doesn’t just happen overnight. You need to gradually integrate these healthy habits into your life. Let yourself have fun, relax and prioritize yourself and your personal relationships. You may even see your work and productivity benefiting from these changes. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, and remember to prioritize your health and happiness this year.
At WHZ, we can help you manage and optimize your finances for today while also creating a solid plan to help you achieve the financial goals you have for the future using our strategic Plan Well, Invest Well, Live Well™process. Contact us at (860) 928-2341 or schedule a complimentary consultation any time on our website.
Presented by Associate Vice President, Wealth Manager Holly C. Wanegar, CFP®. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 697 Pomfret Street, Pomfret Center, CT 06259 and 392-A Merrow Road, Tolland, CT 06084, 860.928.2341. http://www.whzwealth.com These materials are general in nature and do not address your specific situation. For your specific investment needs, please discuss your individual circumstances with your financial advisor. Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing in the accompanying pages should be construed as specific tax or legal advice.
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