Sleep is important to our health in many ways, but getting as much as we need is easier said than done. Get tips and insight on what matters most as a busy and stressed lawyer or law student. The demands…
Our physical well-being affects our mental well-being -- and the start of a new year can be a convenient time to start a new routine. The importance of physical activity is captured in a recently published book from Harvard…
Feelings of anxiety related to this election season and potential aftermath are pervasive, and can be especially overwhelming for those in the legal profession. This election cycle is a common source of anxiety regardless of party affiliation and voting…
September is Self-Care Awareness Month. Although it's become a trendy concept, self-care is still elusive to many in the legal profession. Self-Care Basics for the Legal Profession Practicing self-care sounds lovely, but is easier said than done when you're…
It can feel difficult to avoid burnout in the legal profession -- focus on the essentials to find a sustainable pace. At this time last year, Elon Musk was making headlines about sleep deprivation -- which was a great opportunity…
The average human spends almost half of their waking hours thinking about something other than what is actually happening, according to a Harvard University study. HOW IT HELPS. Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, intending to be…
Self-Care Awareness Month Trivia Question! What do a lot of lawyers have in common with billionaire innovators Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos?
Their work is impressive, but their priorities are questionable. In similar and different ways. Elon Musk is sleep-deprived and friends are concerned. Jeff Bezos sleeps enough, but he’s making headlines for poor working conditions in his Amazon warehouses. They both seem pretty smart and might prevail against any odds — but in the meantime, we can learn from the mistakes they’re making on their paths to full scale market disruption and domination. NEWS UPDATE: Elon Musk agreed to pay $20 million and quit as Tesla chairman in a deal with SEC. (See here.) And Jeff Bezos announced Amazon is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour for all US employees. (See here.)
Lawyers are not unique in their struggle to prioritize their health and well-being. Many in the helping professions focus on those they aim to help at the cost of neglecting their own needs. It takes time and effort to learn how to prioritize one’s own well-being as an essential element in being an effective helping to others. For those looking for reasons to avoid addressing issues with their own well-being, lawyers can turn to their legal training to help provide justification for their avoidance of self-care.
Getting regular, quality sleep is one of the most important factors in good physical and mental health. Our bodies need sleep in order to repair and refuel our energy. While many of us use caffeine and sugar to replace the energy we should have gotten from a good night’s sleep, nothing can replace the benefit of a night of quality sleep. And while it seems simple, regularly getting quality sleep is difficult to do. Any parent can tell you that a full night’s sleep is more of a fantasy than a reality. However, there are some practical tips (generally called Sleep Hygiene) that can help you improve your sleep experience.
It might be obvious to say, but sleep is really important. No, really. It’s really important. We all know that it is important to get a good night’s sleep, yet most of us do not get adequate sleep at night. The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This, by the way, does not count the minutes/hours spent lying in bed awake, reading, thinking about your day, making to-do lists, etc. I have often had the thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I only needed an hour of sleep a night? I could be so productive!” This mentality frames sleep as a barrier to productivity. The reality is, adequate sleep is what allows us to be productive in the first place.