Did you know August 15 was National Relaxation Day? For many lawyers, relaxed is exactly the opposite of how they feel on any given weekday. Working within the law is demanding and often becomes stressful, overwhelming, and time-consuming.
How do you stress less? Here are a few tips for lawyers to prioritize relaxation.
Make lists
Staying organized is a great way to cut down unnecessary stress. At the beginning of each day or week, create lists of what you need to get done. This helps you feel accomplished when you start checking off items, but it also allows you to prioritize so you’re tackling the most important tasks first.
Embrace automation
Don’t be afraid to use new technologies available to you. Automation is a game-changer for attorneys. You no longer have to complete time-consuming data entry when everything can be automatically copied or completed for you. And, there are usually fewer errors when using automation than manually entering data. Free up some extra time with automation, and you’re bound to be a little more relaxed.
Delegate tasks
No matter how long you’ve been practicing the law, you don’t have to do every single thing yourself. Trust other people to help you. Delegate tasks that take up a lot of your time that you don’t absolutely need to complete yourself. There is no shame in asking for a hand with a project, and it can significantly help your stress levels balance out a little.
Take breaks
Even if you’re in over your head and feel like you’ll never get all your work done, prioritize taking breaks. You will only become more and more stressed if you don’t let your mind have a moment to catch up. Go for a walk, exercise, take a power nap, meditate, take a few deep breaths, talk to a friend, or listen to a song or podcast. Plan in advance, and set timers for your breaks if you’re afraid you’ll forget about them. Come back to work more refreshed and less stressed.
Prioritize mental health
If you find you’re stressed more often than not, it’s time to focus on boosting your mental health. This may mean talking to a professional counselor or just deciding to take on fewer clients so you have a little breathing room. It’s important to make time for the things you enjoy, like being with family or friends and participating in your hobbies, and neglecting these things can quickly lead to burnout and depressed feelings. Prioritize your personal needs and take a day off for self-care.
Get extra help
The right answer may just be that you need to hire additional help to take on some of your work. If you’re worried your budget can’t accommodate another full-time staff member, try hiring a paralegal on-demand with Paralegal as a Service from NextChapter. We get you set up with a virtual, experienced paralegal that can be hired on a per-case or hourly basis. You only have to pay for help when you need it. Find out more about working with a virtual paralegal today.