Introduction to the Report

“Walking is one of the simplest and most strategic things you can do for your physical and mental health.”

Deborah Grayson Riegel (2021).
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Walk. Harvard Business Review.

Bahar Gholipour (2016). Exercise Changed This Neuroscientist’s Life And Now She Wants To Change Yours—Profile of Dr. Wendy Suzuki. HuffPost.com. HuffPost Video Profile, 6:28. Dr. Suzuki talks about how exercise transformed her life and what’s she’s learned in her research about the interconnection between physical activity and peak brain functioning that can benefit us all.

The way you breathe (yep, breathe!) may be making you anxious. Learn stress-calming techniques in the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Activity Guide. Post on social media about your experience using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

The exercises in this activity will enable physical and psychological recharging and can easily fit into your daily routine. Try out the activity and post on social media about your experience using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

Learn eleven ways that you can remain professional while still staying true to your values and spirituality at work.

Jessie Cohen (2017).
Ways to Incorporate Your Spirituality at Work. WeWork.com.

Fellow professionals in law share how they integrate their personal approach to spirituality into their work lives.

Boost the meaningfulness of your everyday stroll by following the instructions in the Awe Walk Activity Guide. Post on social media about your experience using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

Spiritual Well-Being involves cultivating a sense of meaning and purpose in work and life and aligning our work and lives with our values, goals, and interests. Chronic misalignment between our values and behaviors can contribute to disengagement, burnout, anxiety, and depression. Use this Activity Guide individually or in teams to identify your core values and ways to align those values with your work and personal life. Post on social media about your experience using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

“Flow” is a psychological state of complete absorption in engaging activities that are optimally challenging. It’s a mental state that psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi says is key to our well-being and growth, and that research shows can buffer against negative psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn 9 ways to get more of it into your daily work life.

Leo Babauta (2012).
Nine Steps to Achieving Flow in Your Work. Greater Good Magazine.

An entertaining video summary of psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s best-selling book that proposes that fostering more “flow” in our daily lives is a key to growth and happiness.

Job crafting is a continual activity in which we seek to create a better fit between our strengths, values, and preferences and our work. To try it out, follow the instructions in the Job Crafting Activity Guide. Post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

Left-brained-logic-loving lawyers and other legal professionals may overlook the rejuvenating force of creativity. Much research shows that everyday creativity can boost health and happiness. The Activity Guide recommends choosing creative activities that align with who you are, are absorbing and challenging, and enables you to disconnect from stressful thoughts. Try it out and post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

“Without the networks and encounters that offices provide, companies must foster the visibility of Black and Hispanic workers, diversity experts say.”

Nelson D. Schwartz (2020).
Working From Home Poses Hurdles for Employees of Color. New York Times.

Shawn Stevenson (2019). The Model Health Show: The Science of Friendship & How your Community Impacts Your Health with Dhru Purohit. In this podcast/YouTube video, Dhru Purohit shares how deep and meaningful friendships can help you thrive, how strong relationships can support your well-being, and how connecting with others can help you reach your goals. 1hr, 15 min.

Loving-kindness meditation is a practice in which we mentally send goodwill, kindness, and warmth towards others, which builds a foundation for pro-social behaviors. It is also linked to many psychological benefits, including greater positive emotions and reduced depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.

We often share more in common with others than what meets the eye. Getting beyond the surface attributes and gaining a better understanding of the experiences, identities, and other aspects of our lives that we share with our colleagues can help us bridge differences and work together more effectively. Try it out by doing the exercise in this Activity Guide.

Post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

“When people feel overwhelming, difficult emotions, their instinct can be to spend all day browsing the internet or to drown themselves in work as a distraction. But, there are alternatives between these extremes that can help you feel better, bounce back faster, and regain your confidence to handle whatever personal situations you’re facing.”

Alice Boyes (November 2, 2020).
Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s How To Get Through The Workday. Harvard Business Review.

Guy Winch (2014). Practicing Emotional First Aid, Guy Winch. TEDx, 17:15 mins. Because too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, Dr. Guy Winch advocates for better emotional hygiene — taking care of our emotions and minds with the same diligence as we take care of our bodies.

Learning to push back on automatic unhelpful thoughts that often flood our minds will help us feel better, enable us to intentionally choose that align with our goals and values, and protect our mental health. Try out two activities to help curb the negative effects of unhelpful thoughts in the Retraining Unhelpful Thoughts Activity Guide. Post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

Intentionally engaging in thoughts and behaviors that heighten our good feelings about positive events is strongly related to mental health. It includes anything that generates, intensifies, or prolongs our enjoyment. This Activity Guide will help you assess your own savoring habits and make a plan for more savoring. Post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #WellBeingWeekInLaw.