LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | January 1, 2026
January is more than the start of a new calendar year—it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and decide what kind of year we want to build together. For union families, that question goes beyond individual resolutions. It reaches into our homes, our locals, our workplaces, and the broader labor movement.
As we look toward 2026, setting family health goals isn’t about perfection, crash diets, or unrealistic promises. It’s about intention. It’s about making choices—together—that support strength, stability, and longevity for ourselves and the people we love.
When union families invest in their health, everyone benefits: the individual member, the family unit, the union, and the labor movement as a whole.
Why Family Health Goals Matter
Union members understand something deeply important: progress happens when we move together. The same principle applies to health.
Family health goals create:
- Shared accountability
- Mutual encouragement
- Stronger habits that stick
- A sense of purpose beyond “me”
Health isn’t just physical. It includes mental well-being, financial stability, emotional connection, and access to care. When families align around health, they create a foundation that supports everything else—work performance, participation in union life, and long-term security.
The Benefits at Every Level
- Benefits to the Individual Union Member
Union work—whether physical, mental, or both—demands resilience. When individuals commit to health goals, they often experience:
- More energy and stamina on the job
- Fewer sick days and injuries
- Better stress management
- Improved sleep and focus
- Greater confidence and motivation
Small changes add up. A 10-minute daily walk, better hydration, a scheduled annual check-up—these are not minor actions. They are investments in your ability to show up strong for work, family, and community.
- Benefits to the Family
Health goals work best when they’re shared. Families that set goals together often see:
- Stronger communication
- Healthier routines for kids and teens
- Reduced stress and conflict
- More quality time together
When families cook together, move together, and talk openly about mental and physical health, they model lifelong habits for the next generation of union members.
This is how we build legacy—not just pensions and contracts, but healthier futures.
- Benefits to the Union
Healthy members are engaged members. When union families prioritize health:
- Attendance improves
- Participation increases
- Leadership pipelines strengthen
- Benefit programs are used more effectively
Unions invest heavily in health benefits for a reason. When members actively use preventive care, wellness resources, and mental health supports, the entire system works better.
Healthy families help ensure that union-negotiated benefits remain sustainable and impactful for years to come.
- Benefits to the Labor Movement
The labor movement is built on solidarity—and solidarity requires strength.
When union members and their families are healthier:
- Workers stay in the workforce longer
- Communities are more stable
- Organizing efforts gain momentum
- Leadership reflects resilience and balance
A strong labor movement depends on people who can fight for fairness without burning out. Family health goals are not personal indulgences—they are strategic acts of solidarity.
How to Create Meaningful Family Health Goals for 2026
Start with Conversation, Not Pressure
Before setting goals, talk as a family:
- What feels hard right now?
- What do we want more of this year—energy, calm, time, connection?
- What’s one thing that would make daily life feel better?
These conversations should feel hopeful, not judgmental.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Effective family health goals are:
- Simple
- Measurable
- Flexible
- Realistic
Examples:
- Walk together three times a week
- Cook at home one extra night per week
- Schedule annual check-ups by June
- Create a consistent bedtime routine
- Limit screen time during meals
- Build a weekly “check-in” conversation
Consistency beats intensity every time.
Use Your Union Benefits
Many families don’t realize how much support they already have access to:
- Preventive care and screenings
- Mental health and counseling services
- Wellness incentives
- Fitness discounts
- Nutrition programs
- Financial wellness resources
One powerful family goal for 2026: fully use the benefits you’ve earned.
Make Mental Health Part of the Plan
Mental health is health. Period.
Family goals should include:
- Normalizing conversations about stress and burnout
- Identifying trusted support systems
- Taking mental health days seriously
- Teaching kids that asking for help is strength
Healthy families talk about how they’re really doing—not just how they look on the outside.
Looking Ahead: Building Health That Lasts
Family health goals are not about doing more—they’re about doing what matters.
They remind us that:
- Health is collective
- Strength is shared
- Progress is built together
As union members, you already know how powerful it is when people stand side by side with a common purpose. Bringing that same mindset into your home can transform not just your family—but your union and the movement you’re part of.
A Final Thought for Succes in 2026
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You need a shared one.
Start small. Stay consistent. Support each other. And remember—when union families are healthy, unions are stronger. And when unions are stronger, the future is brighter for everyone.
Here’s to creating family health goals that last—not just for 2026, but for generations to come.
