The new focus on wellbeing in law is long overdue. Long hours and unrelenting pressure, in a profession where most people are highly competitive and driven to push their limits, have been impacting mental health for generations.
26th-30th June is Wellbeing Week–the perfect time to discover the new resources out there for legal professionals.
Wellbeing initiatives in law
According to a recent survey on lawyers’ mental health, the biggest culprits of poor mental health were billable hour pressures (68%) and the inability to disconnect (67%).
The legal community has come together to create several mental health initiatives, such as:
- The City Mental Health Alliance, a London business coalition headed by senior leaders working to build a culture of good mental health for legal professionals in the City.
- The Mindful Business Charter, an “unprecedented alliance” between some of the UK’s biggest law firms and banks to address working practices that impact mental health.
How technology can boost wellbeing
A certain amount of anxiety and stress is normal—it’s a part of life, after all.
However, too much can have a disastrous impact on lawyers’ mental health. Solicitors perform at their best when they’re cool, calm, and collected. Stress and anxiety, on the other hand, can cloud their thinking and worsen moods.
Unfortunately, it’s sometimes tricky to spot when lawyers are suffering from anxiety or stress. These are high-performing individuals who are used to doing what it takes to get the job done. However, technology can help boost wellbeing:
- Wellbeing apps such as Headspace can help with mindfulness and self-awareness, sleep quality, focus, motivation and productivity, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.
- Online therapy became a new normal during the pandemic. It’s more affordable and more convenient than traditional therapy.
- Digital reminders can prompt legal professionals to take breaks from work, meditate, or take any other actions connected with wellbeing
- Digital mood trackers enable users to draw data-driven insights from the ups and downs in their moods over time, discovering what they need to do more or less of to enjoy better mental health.
- Using new legal workflow technology to automate unbillable tasks enables legal professionals to avoid burnout by spending more time doing what they love, both at work and outside work.
Now more than ever, there is a serious drive in the legal profession to change unhealthy working practices. These new initiatives are a positive step towards better mental health.