It may be a bit of a buzzword these days, but self-care is critical. Not only is it necessary to make sure you are operating at your peak ability, but also to ensure your long-term health. Clearly, there are many books and resources on the topic. And it's super easy to go on and on. Here, we kind of break it down into big chunks, and give you some baby steps to get started. Even one effort will help. Repeating them? Only makes it better. And then like all habits, it becomes a natural part of your day and week. You will soon feel a release from stress and worry and be prepared to function at your best, professionally and personally.
The focus here is on how you care for yourself as an attorney in your role as an attorney. So all of these suggestions support that capacity.
Whether you are a solo attorney or part of a law firm, connecting with other more experienced attorneys is a great first step. Not only have they experienced more solely by the fact that they have been in practice longer, but they have also dealt with tough situations. Sometimes the outcome was good. And sometimes, well, probably not. Learning from others is a great way to overcome a learning curve, or at least part of it. We are big fans of Bar Associations. Reach out to your Bar Association and see if they offer some sort of mentoring program. If not, suggest it.
Another approach for a similar benefit is to meet with a peer group of attorneys. They don't need to be practicing the same type of law, or even be in the same state. If we learned one thing over the pandemic, it's that remote meetings can be productive. Sharing ideas on how to grow your firm, how to achieve your financial goals, or even how to find an office, can quickly improve the odds of a successful outcome.
Set strong and precise boundaries for yourself. That includes all people you interact with professionallly. Clients, opposing counsel, other professionals you work with, and even other members of your law firm. You decide what your boundaries are. Communicate them. And then follow them. Adhere to the boundaries as best you can. Certainly, emergencies happen. But, if you say you are not available after 7 pm and not at all on the weekends, then you need to follow that. That includes not checking your emails or calling your office line for messages. Set up the procedures to follow if it's a true emergency. But those are far and few between, for the most part.
Make sure you are engaged in your profession. Not only with the latest developments for your practice area, but with best practices, changing policies, but beyond. Find one or two professional journals you find helpful. Read them. Challenge yourself to keep learning and stay up-to-date with the latest developments. We strongly suggest the use of technology for your law firm, but you saw that coming. That's just one type of learning that is helpful to drive vitality in your profession.
Consider making time to go to in-person events too. This is another great opportunity provided by your Bar Association. Consider in-person CLE events. Attend a casual mixer. Check out a speaker. If you don't readily have access through your Bar Association, consider the local business chamber. There are many opportunities to increase your in-person professional interactions. Not only is it good for you, it's good for business.
There is so much information on personal care. Breaking it down even further into physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual self care is beneficial. But we will be here all day. The highlights from these categories, the ones we have found most beneficial, are noted below.
Movement is medicine. We are big believers in this. Whether it's a walk, a spin class, strength training, or pickleball, move your body. Exercise, in all forms, clears the cobwebs, reduces stress, improves your memory and brain functions, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, and so much more. The trick to actually accomplishing this is making it a priority. It isn't something you do if you have time. It's something that is required. Daily is great. Every other day is great. Find the schedule that works for you. If you only have 20 minutes, no problem. Jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, and situps are a great workout. As the saying goes, drop and give yourself 20. It doesn't have to take long.
Connecting with other people is key. Sharing life experiences with someone, whether it's playing basketball, a shared hobby, or even just watching a movie together is good. Shared experiences keep us involved in the world outside of our own. And that's a good reminder that there is more to life than work. That's a reminder that's good for all of us, but likely more important for attorneys. Make time to connect with others daily, even if it's just chatting up your partner, kids, or your local barista.
Make time to relax. There are many ways to do this. One of our favorites are the meditation apps out there. Take 5 to 10 minutes a day and follow along with a guided meditation. Even practicing box breathing is helpful, particularly in stressful moments. Consider a gratitude journal. Yeah, I know that sounds a little 'extra'. But trust me, it works. You don't have to write it down. As you end your day, think of three things you are grateful for that day. It could be something as simple as hot coffee, the weather, and your friends or family, even if you didn't see or chat with them that day. Some days will be easier than others. But there are always things to be grateful for. And naming them before you end your day helps you relax and sleep better, too.
There are so many other ways to increase your self-care. We hope this gives you some easy ideas, baby steps, that you can choose to expand and grow. After all, we only get one turn at this thing called life. Making the most of it personally and professionally is the ultimate goal. And it doesn't happen without making the effort.