After a slow February, the first two weeks of March have been intense at work. This is a common situation for lawyers. Things escalate quickly and we can struggle to keep up. This happened to me this week, which ended with two consecutive twelve-hour days. By Friday, I desperately needed rest.
Luckily for me, I shifted into recovery mode immediately. Years of mindfulness practice and law practice have taught me how to do this. For many lawyers, though, it can be hard. We can struggle to turn off our minds and leave our cases behind.
In this post, I’ll explain why taking advantage of down time is essential and offer some ways to truly rest your body and mind.
Why Lawyers Need to Learn to Rest When We Can
Most people recognize that humans need rest to live happy and healthy lives. At the same time, most lawyers are also experts at setting their personal needs aside to address client needs first. For many lawyers, this can become a never-ending cycle that leaves little room for rest.
In reality, though, if you learn to rest efficiently, you may see that quality rest is not entirely dependent on gobs of free time. While our bodies certainly require a minimum number of hours of sleep, other forms of rest during our waking hours may be more flexible.
This means that we can learn to use found time or small windows of time for rest activities. Now, if my use of the word “rest activity” here sounds odd, I will explain why an activity done to aid rest makes sense below. Because lawyers often don’t have much free time or control our schedules, it makes sense for us to learn to rest when we can.
Lawyers May Need to Be Intentional about Rest
Here’s the problem though: lawyers are not always the best at going with the flow. Our cases and work matter to us. It can be hard for most of us to drop their thoughts about a tricky issue just because they have an hour to spare and could use a recharge.
It’s also true that other things may distract us from our need for recovery. Of course, I am talking here about our phones. But in some situations things like alcohol or shopping or even TV might serve the same function.
Even though these tendencies may be very human, they can do us a disservice because they can keep us from learning to truly rest. In this way, lawyers may have to be intentional about shifting into rest mode. We also may have to be intentional about identifying the activities that help us rest.
Lawyers May Do Best with Options for Rest
On this blog, I share a lot about meditation. For those with some experience with the practice, meditation absolutely can be a wonderful way to rest. Even better, meditation offers us the chance to rest their nervous system while cultivating mindfulness. This trait is essential for modulating and identifying the need to recharge.
But as I mentioned, many lawyers are not in the position where they can easily rest just by stopping everything. Instead, their minds may chatter on or replay scenes from their day or weak. This can be frustrating and escalate stress rather than reduce it.
After a decade of meditation practice, I have learned that you can’t just demand that your mind stop on a dime. Instead, for me, the mind calms down a lot quicker if I help my body relax. Here are the five most common activities, besides meditation, that can help you rest.
Option 1: Physical Activity
I know that physical activity may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of rest. But it’s really a good choice when you think about it. Though rest often means a lack of activity, for lawyers physical movement may help us refresh ourselves.
Many lawyers sit in an office in front of a screen or on the phone much of the day. As a result, by the end of the day, our bodies may be screaming for movement rather than sleep. Physical activity is good for our bodies and minds. It also does not always have to be vigorous to be beneficial.
At the end of a long day or work week, some yoga or a light walk outside may be enough to regulate ourselves. In many situations, I find that some physical activity restores my energy rather than depleting it. In addition, it returns focus and attention to the body rather than to purely mental activity.
For all of these reasons, physical activity is a great option for lawyers who need to recover some energy.
Option 2: Get Outside
In the same way, getting outside is another important rest activity for lawyers. When the weather permits, this option can be paired with physical activity. But even without movement, just sitting outside is healing to us.
Even in small doses, nature regulates our nervous system and reduces the signs of stress. I also will say from experience that nature puts things in perspective. Sure, our worries about cases can feel really big and pervasive at times.
When we get outside, though, we instantly see that there is a much wider world outside of our minds. I often find that just being outside helps me create some space around my thoughts so they don’t feel so big. This helps me let go a little bit and find some rest and solace.
Option 3: Make Something
I know when you are low on energy, creativity may be the last thing on your mind. Even so, I often turn to it as a means of restoring my energy. Simple crafts, cooking, writing, and even a little bit of housework are restorative for me.
Sure, if I am really tired, I let myself rest up first. But what I love about creativity is that it demands my full attention. When I cook, for example, I am forced to pay attention to my sensory experience to ensure quality and safety. The same is true when I write, craft, or even trim the hedges.
Although this is a type of labor, it also means that I have no attention left to think about work. In this way, I get to rest my strategic mind for a little while and let the playful and creative side of my brain take the reins.
This is why making something, whether it is a craft or a meal, is an important rest activity.
Option 4: Social Connection
One thing about law practice that not enough people talk about: it can be lonely. Yes, lawyers deal with people all day but loneliness is possible in the midst of in person contact.
In fact, loneliness is prevalent in our culture and is higher among lawyers than most other professions. When you think about it, this actually makes sense. Law practice is rife with risk and stress. Lawyers often find themselves in pressure situations and may often feel compelled to hide their feelings.
In this way, social connection is an important rest activity for lawyers. Having some time to be with other people where you feel like the armor and mask can come off is essential when you carry so much at work.
Option 5: Do Something Light and Fun
Assuming this doesn’t come up in options 1 to 4 or those options are not available, you can always just rest by doing something easy, light, and fun. Turn on a stupid movie. Dance to silly music. Blow bubbles. Play with your dog. You can even scroll for a bit if you stick to cute animal videos or their intellectual equivalent.
Clearly this kind of activity is frivolous and it does not serve any useful purpose. That’s the point. I’m not telling you to devote large amounts of time to these kinds of activities. But sometimes short bursts of silliness can help us relax and let go of our troubles for a bit.
Lawyers often deal with serious matters and we usually at risk for taking ourselves too seriously. Sometimes we need to remember that everyone needs a little bit of time to play and joke around. This is one reason that fun is an important thing to remember when you need a rest.
Conclusion: Rest Means More Than Just Doing Nothing
Many lawyers are told that they need to take time for themselves and make time for rest. But not all of us really know what that means. Even though I am a meditation teacher, I think rest can mean more than just doing nothing. instead, lawyers with active minds may have to get intentional about the activities that truly help them recharge. In this post, I shared some activities that renew my energy and I hope they help you renew yours.
Want to learn more about mindfulness and compassion? Check out my new book, How to Be a Badass Lawyer, for a simple guide to creating a meditation practice of your own in 30 days. And to share mindfulness with your little one, check out my new children’s book, Mommy Needs a Minute.
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