Coping with Stress at Work

Attorneys are known for working long hours in stressful conditions, especially those working for large law firms. Clients want results and partners want more billable hours from their associates, no matter the impact on personal time. Learning to cope with work-related stress early in any career pays dividends over the long haul, and these three habits can help make that a reality.

Thinking Time

Bill Gates schedules an entire week each year to step away from the office and reevaluate his work life and goals. While this might not be practical for everyone, attorneys can achieve a similar result by setting aside time each day to assess the state of affairs. Mental clarity can be achieved by momentarily focusing on breathing or even jotting down ideas in a journal. Creating internal space allows new ideas to flow more freely and also reduces stress at work. This approach is most effective when it is incorporated into a ritual conducted at the same time each day.

Exercise

There is absolutely no substitute for the ability of exercise to alleviate the physical effects of stress. A daily workout not only provides a brief change of scenery, but also, allows the body to generate endorphins proven to elevate mood and minimize anxiety. Something as simple as a short walk outside or climbing the office stairs is an acceptable substitute if the gym is not an. The key is to disconnect from work briefly, and get the body moving.

Daily Checklists

Attorneys handle an untold number of different items throughout the workday. Creating a checklist can help avoid unnecessary stress caused by juggling priorities and deadlines. Five minutes spent on the list at the beginning and end of each workday can be a valuable stress-reducing tactic. Committing tasks to paper creates mental space for more important activities.

All three of these stress-reduction techniques work best when practiced daily. Coping with job-related stress is always made easier by developing consistent habits. One additional way to alleviate stress and reduce timely and failed marketing activities is to sign up for your free profile at Legal Services Link, an online forum where attorneys and clients connect at the click of a button.

Posted - 06/25/2015