The Answer to Chronic Stress Is Mindfulness, Here’s How Beneficial It Can Be for Lawyers
Our life is filled with constant distractions. From the moment we wake up, we are constantly bombarded with stressors that overstimulate our brains and make us overthink.
Just think about the first thing you do when the alarm awakens you in the morning. Do you immediately look at your phone and get bombarded by information on social media?
From violent news to engagement and pregnancy announcements in your social circle, there’s a lot to see and digest on the internet.
Many of us spend (at least) a good 30 minutes scrolling on social media, catching up with all the unnecessary updates before finally deciding to get out of bed and start the day.
Then, after the unconscious bout of information consumption, our minds begin to race at the speed of a hundred thoughts per minute.
Chronic Stress
Whether it was the fight you had with your better half, your current financial predicament, or the case you’re currently handling, you’re probably juggling a lot of things every day that put too much stress on our physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Stress brings nothing but agony and wreaks havoc in our bodies, making it hard for our bodies to function properly. Sad to say, it is inevitable largely because of all the things we are distracted about.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the disastrous effects of chronic stress on the body. Some of its symptoms include depression, anxiety, fatigue, period problems, weight gain, and heightened risk for several serious diseases.
Unfortunately, most lawyers, experience this stress daily, despite oftentimes being perceived as powerful, strong, and mighty. But the truth is that they, too, face the dangers that come with constant pressure.
Mindfulness
This is where mindfulness comes in, a word which you may have heard a thousand times already. This is the answer to the restlessness brought about by stress. But what is it, exactly? To put it bluntly, mindfulness is about being present and aware.
This state of consciousness is about tuning into your mind and body and being aware of your emotions, and your actions. It’s also about being conscious of the things around you, focusing on the blessings more than the shortcomings, and moving forward in life with understanding and compassion.
Mindfulness is oftentimes mistakenly interchanged with meditation, but the two practices are not the same. Meditation is about reaching inward and tapping into a different kind of consciousness.
Benefits on the Practice
One of the most beneficial effects of practicing mindfulness is that it enables lawyers to pause for a while before reacting. There are many disrespectful, irritating clients that usually get in your nerves and admit it, it’s hard to pull yourself together and refuse to engage.
But being mindful means taking a pause, reflecting on what’s happening, before you respond rather than react. This can go a long way in your profession since you face different kinds of people every day.
Another handy advantage of being mindful is self-regulation. It is extremely important that you know how to handle your emotions because you are in a very stressful environment. You don’t want to shout at a judge or lose your cool when they announce a verdict that’s not in your client’s favor.
Plus, when your mind is occupied with a fight or misunderstanding with a friend, it can be hard to focus on the present task and it could affect your performance. This also means that your self-discipline will improve, especially if you make it a habit.
More in Legal Advice
-
A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Lawyer
A real estate lawyer specializes in legal matters related to property, from transactions to disputes. They ensure legality in real estate...
December 3, 2023 -
What Is Asylum & How Does It Work?
At its core, asylum is a protection granted to foreign nationals in a country because they have suffered persecution or have...
November 26, 2023 -
6 Reasons Why Sentencing Is Any Judge’s Toughest Assignment
When you picture a judge, you might imagine a stern figure in black robes, gavel in hand, delivering verdicts with unwavering...
November 14, 2023 -
Carrie Underwood Sued for NBC Sunday Night Football’s “Game On”
It is almost ritualistic. As the weekend winds down and Sunday evening approaches, millions across America gear up for a night...
November 12, 2023 -
Why Lawyers’ Productivity Has Increased in Modern Times
Remember the old days when your image of a lawyer might have been drawn straight out of an episode of “Matlock”...
November 5, 2023 -
Paying Down Debts Using Debt Relief Tactics
Debt is like that lingering headache that never seems to go away, no matter how much aspirin you pop. But there...
October 29, 2023 -
Pro Se: Your Right to Represent Yourself WITHOUT an Attorney
The legal system is complex and so, more often than not, people hire a professional attorney to navigate the legal system....
October 21, 2023 -
The Craziest, Most Expensive Hollywood Divorces of All Time
Hollywood is the land of glitz, glamour, and romance – until it is not. Over the years, we have seen our...
October 13, 2023 -
How Was Life as a Lawyer in Ancient Rome?
The Late Roman Republic was a period chock-full of political drama, rampant corruption, and the rise and fall of powerful figures....
October 8, 2023