Top Wellness Tips for Law Students

By Leo cuSSen centre for Law and edited By Sue-eLLen SouLie, cLient Service Manager at LegaLSuPer

It’s no secret that life as a law student can be stressful. Statistics show that almost one-third of lawyers experience high levels of psychological distress – well above the average of 13% in the general population. And in your junior years it can be even harder to balance the complexities, nuances and challenges of this strange new ‘lawyer life’. But there’s good news. The earlier you develop wellness strategies, the better your chances of reducing workplace stress and increasing your resilience and wellbeing throughout your career. Here are five tips to help you navigate the stresses of study and get you on the path to wellness: 1. Look after your mind and body

Exercise

There is plenty of evidence to show that regular exercise plays a key role in mental wellbeing. It doesn’t need to be onerous, even walking can be effective. It is also a quick, easy and cheap way to maintain physical health. Diet

It’s easy to turn to junk food when you’re working late or stressed. So, try having healthier snacks on standby. Perhaps swap out the chocolate bars for the almonds and have fruit nearby. It’s all about balance, and you’ll find that a good diet impacts positively on your sleep, energy, concentration and overall wellbeing. Sleep Time and again research has emphasised the link between sleep habits and wellbeing. Most adults need between six to eight hours of sleep per night, and it’s best to go to sleep and wake up at consistent hours each day. The blue light from your devices can mess with your sleep cycle, so be sure to switch off phones, TVs and laptops well before bedtime. Activities for the mind

Many students and new lawyers have effectively used strategies such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and breathing exercises to maintain mental wellbeing and better manage their tasks and decision making during stressful periods. There are plenty of great apps to download which can guide you through these activities, such as “Smiling Mind”, “Calm”, and “Breathe”. The trick is to identify those self-care activities which align with your personal interests and lifestyle. To be most effective, they really need to be incorporated into a daily or weekly routine. Use your diary to make sure you book in time for yourself.

It is so important to connect with family, friends and colleagues to debrief, stay grounded and keep the ‘life-outside-of-law’ balance. Staying connected with the people who matter in your life is one of the most crucial components of the wellness strategy. The all-consuming passion for the law can sometimes lead to relationships being left behind. But making time to maintain and strengthen bonds with our supporters and networks is one of the best ways to promote good health on all levels.

3. Make time for hobbies, socialising & volunteering

The law can be all-consuming. A tried and tested technique is to take time to do the things you really love. Are you a movie buff? Make time to go to the cinema. Perhaps you’re a music lover? Make time to get to a concert or join a band. Have you been dying to learn a new skill? It can be as big or as small as you like, but it’s important to make the effort to embrace new experiences, acquaintances, peer groups and skills. And many of these activities may overlap with what we’ve already discussed – such as spending time with friends and exercising. Many lawyers have also benefited greatly from volunteering, both in legal and non-legal contexts. Stepping outside of ourselves to help others can often have a profound effect on our wellbeing.

4. Get away

One of the best ways to cope with a heavy study and eventually, workplace workload is to get far, far away from it. Taking regular breaks from study/work will help to clear your mind, and keep you refreshed. In the short term, it can be as simple as taking a walk for lunch. In the medium term, perhaps you can schedule a weekend road trip with friends.

5. Set goals and regularly reflect

Wellness strategies only work if they fit in with your tastes, lifestyle and personality. So, take the time to write down all the things that give you joy and meaning. Then make a plan to incorporate them into your regular schedule. It’s important to set shortterm and long-term goals to stay inspired, prevent burnout and maintain an all-important work/study/ life balance. By putting these strategies in place as an eventual new lawyer, you’ll be setting yourself up for a healthier legal career.