How to reduce lawyer burnout

You should take time away from the office, utilize technology, and focus on your health in order to reduce lawyer burnout. Here are more details on each of these strategies you can employ to reduce lawyer burnout:

• Take time away from the office. As a lawyer, you likely work very long hours in an office setting. It is important for your mental health to take time away from the office. You likely need a break; determine which months out of the year tend to be your least busy period, and then set dedicated times when you can take time off.

  Setting aside extended periods of time to rest and recharge is one of the most effective ways to reduce lawyer burnout.

  You might think that you are not going to be able to enjoy this time because you will just be thinking of all the work that is accumulating back at your office. That's why you must clear your schedule and notify your colleagues, superiors, and clients to let them know about your off period.

  To combat any anxiety about taking this much time off, fill in a fellow attorney at your firm or law office about any important cases that they may need to handle in your absence.

• Utilize technology. Make sure you are using technology to your advantage in your daily activities as a lawyer. It has been documented that lawyers spend almost 40% of their work days on tasks that are not associated with practicing law.

  This is a significant waste of time and even hurts a law firm's bottom line because you are losing crucial billable hours.

  There are different technologies being employed in the legal profession today that can help combat this waste of time. Westlaw Edge is a tech tool that uses AI to give quicker, more precise legal answers, with the goal of saving attorneys time. Using technologies like this and others can also help reduce the amount of stress you feel being a lawyer.

• Focus on your health. This strategy is one everyone is aware of, but many can ignore it. Looking after your own health by eating right and exercising is critical to combating lawyer burnout. Exercise is a proven stress reducer and mood booster.

  Sometimes it is hard to commit to exercise when you are experiencing burnout; however, if you can muster up the willpower, it is almost a guarantee that it will significantly alter your mood in a positive way. Food can also have a great impact on your mood on any given day.

  It is important to eat a blanched and healthy diet to keep you on an even keel emotionally. Try to sit down at a table, and take your time eating. Also, as much as possible, try to avoid binge eating. In addition, you can also use other health and wellness techniques, such as mindfulness meditation.

  This form of meditation is rising in popularity and can be found in both religious and secular sources. Practicing mindfulness will not only reduce burnout, but it can also have the effect of improving your overall job performance by increasing your focus.

• Connect with other lawyers or legal professionals for support. Some of the best people to talk to about your burnout are other lawyers or those that work in similar roles. They will be the most understanding of your situation, and if they have dealt with it during their careers, they may be able to give you valuable advice.

  There are also professional organizations you can reach out to and peer support groups, you can attend.

• Try to spend more time with family and friends. It is very important for you to spend quality time with the people who care for you the most and know you the best. By focusing on the lives of the people you care about, you are sure to feel some relief from your legal-related stresses.

  Try to schedule weekly visits with friends or carve out specific times after you get off work to spend quality time with your family.