Page 10 - May June24 Report

Lawyers
Can improve
Their Mental
Well-Being
Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to tackle prob- ments can be as big or small as you w lems after you have had a good night’s sleep? Or how you some of these accomplishments:
feel less stressed after exercising? Have you ever realized
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THE REPORT | May/June 2024 | CincyBar.org
how much easier it is to communicate with others when you focus on the present? These are a few examples of being mentally well. When you are mentally well, you are able to recognize your abil- ities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and rewardingly, and contribute to your community.
Because of the demands of lawyers’ responsibilities—making decisions that significantly impact people’s lives, the stressors of an intellectually demanding job and long hours—legal professionals are more prone than others to experiencing burnout, depression, anxiety and other problems that can affect mental well-being. If you are finding it difficult to manage your mental well-being, try one or all of the following methods to get your mental health back on track.
1.Banish negative thoughts
Have you heard it? The negative thought that pops into your head when you make a mistake, when you say the wrong words, when you wake up in the morning, when you are late? It might tell you that you are stupid, that you are ugly, that you are not good at your job. Learn to recognize these thoughts and chal- lenge them. Replace them with something positive. For example, if you double-booked meetings, and the voice tells you that you are unorganized and a failure, tell yourself that you will do a better job of keeping your calendar up to date. If you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and the voice tells you that you are ugly and old, squash it. Tell yourself that you look pretty good for your age! Just as we start to believe our negative thoughts, if you replace them with positive affirmations, you will start to believe them.
2.Make time for self-reflection
Just as banishing negative thoughts is important, so is taking the time to reflect on your accomplishments. Accomplish-
• Arriving early to work.
• Helping an elderly woman when she dropped her purse.
• Reading a book to your child.
• Brushing your teeth.
• Establishing a time-saving procedure at the court that was well-received by all.
• Exercising.
Think of at least three big or small accomplishments before you go to bed. This will help you fulfill your sense of purpose and improve your mental well-being.
3.Do something you enjoy
What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning? Is it your work, learning a new skill, doing something outdoors, reading, or doing something musical or artistic? When you make time to do something you enjoy, you build your self-worth, which can improve your mental health and wellbeing, and people with hobbies are less likely to experience stress, low mood, and depression.
4.Focus on the present
Focusing on the present, or mindfulness, is not just a popular phrase. It’s an evidence-backed lifestyle that psychologists recommend for those struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues. Being in the present moment, or the “here and now,” means that you are aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment. For example, say you are at home having dinner with your family, but your mind keeps going back to the details of the day’s trial that focused on a violent crime. It is difficult to turn off the images in your head. You are not focusing on the present.
By Scott R. Mote, Esq.
ant them to be. Consider