The dictionary defines "labor" as "expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory". We can all relate because we all devote hours upon hours of mental
and physical effort to the work we do. It is why we look forward to Friday, the end of the work week for most of us and the kick-off to our weekend’s “recoup and rest”.
Then again, when I looked up the definition of “Labor Day”, Webster’s told me that it is “a day set aside for special recognition of working people”. If I could, I would reframe “Labor Day” as “Self-Care Day”. Why? To me, the name “Labor Day” sounds like a 24-hour period devoted to laboring (you know, “working”) and not a holiday devoted to rest and relaxation FROM working.
As you work, you give continuously to people and put all of you into projects. This takes precious energy. On Labor Day weekend, businesses and government offices are not open, giving many of us some much-needed R&R. So, “Self-Care Day” sounds about right; doesn’t it? It sounds more like a day intentionally focused on you.
Notice that, in the previous paragraph, I said “giving many of us some much-needed R&R.” We must all tip our hats to the many businesses that stay open to continue to serve others’ self-care needs. That includes Nature’s Whisper Healing Arts: We offer many self-care packages for you to choose from. You can easily schedule your own self-care massage therapy online, and purchase gift cards for the others in your life.
On this Labor Day, won’t you join me in christening it “Self-Care Day”? How? By making it your intention to find some activity that will help rejuvenate you and restore your “self” to balance. On holidays such as this one, bring your “self” into a balance that truly renews you.
Even those of you who work on Labor Day can reserve some little pocket of time to practice self-care. I find meditation and being in the company of friends and family restorative.. Trust that, whatever you decide on, you will find yourself ready to return to work refreshed and energized.
Happy Self-Care Day!