New Hampshire Bar News: Thriving in the Legal Profession—Wellness Strategies for Attorneys

We’ve all heard (and told) countless stories that highlight the long hours and demanding pace of the legal profession. As attorneys, many of us thrive in an environment driven by urgency and intensity.

That drive to deliver exceptional results for our clients may lead us to neglect our wellness. Thankfully, over the last several years, the industry has emphasized the importance of attorney well-being, with new and more connected resources and initiatives to support it.

At the New Hampshire Bar Association, we have a Special Committee on Attorney Wellness that advocates for wellness programs and resources while fostering collaboration between the Bench and Bar to support these initiatives. This committee also makes recommendations to the Bar on ways we can educate our community on wellness issues to improve the well-being of attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals.

We also have programs in our CLE catalog that address wellness, such as “Lawyering & Finding Emotional Health” and “The Resilient Lawyer: Resetting Your GPS Toward Healing & Feeling Better.” Even if you are already familiar with these topics, you may find a new perspective or take away from these sessions.

Every day presents an opportunity to boost your wellness, even if you only have a few moments. The American Heart Association published findings that adults who participated in a mindfulness behavior program for eight weeks significantly lowered their blood pressure levels during that time. Meditation has also been shown to boost mood, improve memory, and help you get more restorative sleep. Guided meditations are easily found online, and even short five- or ten-minute sessions have shown benefits.

My form of meditation is a morning ritual: I sit and have a cup of coffee each morning before jumping into the day. It does not sound like much, but it is a quiet few minutes that allow me to think about the day ahead and prioritize what is on my task list – with the added benefit of avoiding reheated coffee because I’ve forgotten it somewhere in the morning craziness.

Although staying connected to our devices has significant drawbacks, it can also benefit our wellness when we use wearable technology that provides biofeedback. I have a love/hate relationship with my Apple Watch and its reminder that I have been sitting too long or have not moved enough over the course of a day.

As I mentioned in my December column, the antidote to isolation is connection. I’ve heard about a renewed interest in the community from the attorneys I’ve spoken to in my role as President. You can find all the New Hampshire Bar Association’s events listed on our website. I hope to see you at an in-person or virtual event soon – both offer a great way to meet colleagues from across the state. Our Mentor Advice Program is another wonderful resource to help you build relationships that can boost your overall wellness.

Finally, I encourage you to mark your calendars for Well-Being Week in Law (WWIL), which will take place May 5-9. Organized by the Institute for Well-Being in Law, WWIL aligns with Mental Health Awareness Month and promotes attorney well-being through various activities and participation opportunities for individuals and firms. Be on the lookout for events sponsored by our Wellness Committee!

Prioritizing our health and wellness is essential, not only for our personal well-being, but also for providing exceptional service to our clients. By maintaining a healthy balance, we position ourselves for success in both our personal and professional lives. It is, and always will be, a work in progress, but it is worth the effort.

New Hampshire Bar News, March Issue  |  President’s Perspective