Wellness, Kindness, and Gratitude-Are These Really New Year's Resolutions for Lawyers?, 0117 COBJ, Vol. 46 No. 1 Pg. 5
| Author | Patricia Jarzobski, J. |
CBA President’s Message
Patricia Jarzobski, J.
"People often ask me what is the most effective technique for transforming their life. It is a little embarrassing that after years and years of research and experimentation, I have to say that the best answer is—just be a little kinder. "
-Aldous Huxley (quoted in The Power of Kindness
1)
It's that time of year again when we make resolutions. Wikipedia's definition of a New Year's resolution might make you chuckle:
a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year's Day.2
Your New Year's resolutions might include things like losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, getting more sleep, drinking more water and less alcohol, and being more kind and grateful. We've all made these resolutions so many times they have almost become cliché.
But they shouldn't be a cliché, and here's why. The Legal Profession Is Demanding
Lawyers are stressed out.3 We work in an adversarial environment. We deal with our clients' problems every day. There are high expectations placed on us constantly. We have to abide by numerous rules and regulations, and if we fail, our clients and our careers could suffer the consequences. We live in fear of missing deadlines and stepping on landmines and making bad decisions. We worry our clients will be unhappy with us. We deal with frustrated and angry people. We tend to blame ourselves when our cases go south or anytime we lose.4
We often put the needs of others ahead of our own and sacrifice our health for the unreasonable expectations and demands of our profession Over time this takes a toll on our health and happiness.
Sobering Statistics on Attorney Health
A 2016 landmark study on substance use and mental health concerns among U.S. attorneys reveals a troubling reality:
• Based on the volume and frequency of alcohol consumed, one in three practicing attorneys are "problem drinkers."5
• Younger lawyers (aged 30 and under) are more likely to abuse alcohol than older lawyers.6
• Lawyers report depression at 3.6 times the rate of other professionals.7
• 28% of attorneys have experienced symptoms of depression8
• 19% of attorneys have experienced symptoms of anxiety.9
A 2014 survey of 3,300 law students from 15 law schools also revealed some disturbing trends:
• 22% of law students reported binge drinking two or more times in the previous two weeks, and almost a quarter showed signs that they should undergo further testing for alcohol addiction10
• Over one-third of the law students screened positive for moderate or severe anxiety (much higher than comparable populations).11
• More than 60% of the law students said they didn't get help for reliance on drugs or alcohol because they were worried it would affect their career prospects or their chances of getting admitted to the bar.12
I...
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