[author: Brendan P. Hall]*
It is no secret that the legal profession is a relatively stressful and complex profession. Lawsuits need to be won, deals need to be closed, and clients need to feel safe, so if lawyers don’t take precautions, health risks can occur.
Since the challenging times of the pandemic, I have served as the Wellness Committee Chair at Harris Beach PLLC. I also currently co-chair the DRI Young Lawyers Wellness Subcommittee. That experience, combined with my practice as a litigation attorney in New York City, taught me some important lessons about how to manage stress to improve compensation, performance, and, dare I say it, happiness. Without further ado, here are my arguments for why health should be a prescription for all lawyers and beyond the legal profession.
Statistics: A relatively dim picture.
Statistics on the declining health of lawyers are abundant, especially from the American Bar Association.
• Approximately 67 percent of female and 49 percent of male survey respondents reported moderate or severe stress (ABA).
• 71 percent of lawyers suffer from anxiety and about 38 percent suffer from depression (law.com).
• Lawyers who reported high stress levels were 22 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts than those with low stress (Healthcare).
The list could go on. Suffice it to say, the numbers are staggering. These are commonly known, but rarely discussed or even hidden.
And they’re not just statistics. Underlying stress and health complications are the main reasons for dealing with frustrated, irrational, and hostile lawyers. Or worse.
Solution: It exists!
All is not lost. Note that fortunately, the majority of lawyers do not suffer from depression. There are lawyers who are sound and amiable.
Despite the prevalence of problems, solutions are available. Even better, almost everything is free. This list is by no means exhaustive. Wellness is multifaceted. Therefore, this list is a starting point for reducing stress and promoting a healthier profession.
1. Effective legal practice management
At the risk of stating the obvious, every lawyer must first ensure that his or her case is not stretched too thin. All the exercise and meditation in the world won’t solve problems like an unbearable workload or overbearing clients or colleagues. So swim upstream and fix the problem first before it gets worse. For example, say “No.” Set boundaries. Representative. Maintain an efficient calendar. Of course, this is easier said than done in a capitalist society and an ambitious profession that strives for meritocracy, but it is worth raising and addressing. Less can actually be more.
2. Exercise
That being said, practicing lawyers will inevitably face challenges. The case may go to court. You may need to complete your transaction immediately. Potential clients may want to see pitch materials that don’t yet exist. If this situation ever arises, let longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia have a word for it. “Exercise is the greatest elixir for brain health.” Or, in the words of life coach Tony Robbins: “Emotions are created through movement.”
The benefits of even a small amount of exercise seem endless, especially for reducing stress and improving memory and thinking skills. As for time, 150 minutes per week is a reasonable goal, assuming a reasonable output. Perhaps the memorable lawyer and former first lady said it best: “Move!”
3. Meditation
A good lawyer must have strong analytical skills and a keen attention to detail. With that in mind, consider incorporating fun exercises that can improve your memory and attention. Meditation can also reduce stress and improve sleep. Don’t know where to start? We love the calmness. My personal favorite is Peloton, especially Aditi Shah. Also, YouTube! Like exercise, meditation can produce results in just a few minutes. Namaste.
4.Forest bathing
Yes, it is! Referred to as forest bathing in Japanese, being out in nature has great health benefits. Featured in Time, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, and more, if you want to reduce stress, improve your mood, increase your creativity, sleep better, and increase your energy levels, take a walk in your local park. Or consider raising the bar even further with state and national parks. Its effects are so great that Canadian doctors actually prescribe national park passes (hello, Banff!). Either way, be surrounded by nature and reap the rewards wherever you are.
5. Sharpen the saw
While all of the above naturally helps us recharge and live a better life, time away from work actually helps us reset and be more productive (gasp!) . Abraham Lincoln may or may not have said, “If you give me six hours to chop down a tree, I’ll spend the first four sharpening my ax.”
Eradicate the concept of not recharging your energy and showing off your professional endurance feats. To be clear, I advocate working hard and effectively, exceeding expectations, and serving faithfully. But in the name of productivity, taking time to unplug and recharge should not only be encouraged, it should be mandatory and quantifiable. Why not consider a digital detox? A memorable high school philosopher once said: “Life moves so fast, you might miss it if you don’t stop and look around from time to time.”
Bottom line: Health should be a prescription for every lawyer.
Overall, the legal profession could be healthier, happier, and more effective if all lawyers practiced these practices. Disorganized and inefficient behavior by some people can be reduced and alleviated. In individual cases it can be completely eradicated.That’s why health should be a prescription for everyone..
* Harris Beach PLC
