Law and Stress

Although a certain degree of stress may not be a totally bad thing, stress, which is symbiotic with the modern world and high-pressured careers and lifestyles, can be a hugely disruptive and potentially destructive force which many find it hard to cope with.

No body is completely immune to stress- some people are just better at coping with it, especially if they ‘thrive’ under pressure and live life in the fast-lane. Most, however, fall to pieces at the prospect of missing a deadline or repayment- problems which are, ultimately, somewhat inevitable in light of modern life’s escalating pressures.

Stress can lead to major health problems such as heart disease and depression. Daily immersion in stressful environments, such a busy office, may lead to long term ill- health and the depletion of creativity and motivation as well as a decrease in efficiency and productivity.

Those suffering from acute stress are increasingly relying on anti-depressants, tranquilisers, sedatives and, more worryingly, drugs and alcohol. All of the symptoms and problems caused by stress can be greatly reduced without prescription medicines. Small sustainable changes to daily lifestyle and behaviour at work can have a major impact on preventing or alleviating the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression and there are a plethora of organizations and support groups which can help manage stress and related illnesses.

Where Stress Can Occur Most:

Job Content and Satisfaction

Too much or too little work-impossible targets-lack of supervision and guidance.

Colleagues

Unsupportive and untrustworthy colleagues. Bullying in the work place.

Work Schedule

Inflexible and long, anti-social hours

Money

Excessive debt or financial difficulties

Chambers/Firms

Lack of support or supervision, feeling lost or feeling like a ‘cog’ in a massive corporation.

How to Combat Stress In The Workplace:

1. Take regular breaks

Long working hours sometimes cannot be avoided, especially, as you all know, when the Law is concerned! However, taking sufficient brakes can go a long way in the fight against stress. Many admit to ‘forgetting’ to take breaks and eating lunch at the desk, which certainly won’t give you the chill-out time your body needs when under pressure and high amounts of mental strain. Eat your lunch in peaceful surroundings and make sure you tear yourself away from your computer for at least half and hour daily.

2. Get some fresh air

Sounds simple enough! Make sure you make time to get some fresh air into you lungs. A brisk 20 minute work to or from work should do the trick, but make sure you stretch your legs during the working day. It’ll do wonders for your concentration and bring those stress levels back to zero. Whether you work in the Magic Circle or in a similarly built-up area, there are always some green spaces to be found. A small park or green square is a perfect place to unwind and clear your head of unnecessary ‘clutter’. Failing that, you could always sweat it out in the gym pre or post work-a great stress buster!

3. Do things you like!

Take a few minutes out to gossip with colleagues, make a cup of tea, book a holiday or weekend away, read the paper or make plans to socialise in the evening…after all, you’re only human!

4. Be realistic

Working under pressure, contrary to popular belief, is not the best way of working- don’t try and cram too much into your day. Break down your work or appointments into manageable and realistic time frames. You’ll find yourself working much more productively, producing work of a higher standard.

Office Yoga:

Working in an office or at a computer for prolonged periods of time can put strain on the neck, shoulders and back muscles, which can lead to stiffness and tension. This tension can cause headaches, as well as back, neck and shoulder pain. If left unattended, it could also impair you ability to function effectively at work and your overall quality of life. Take a few minutes to de-stress by incorporating Office Yoga into your daily routine. You may feel a little self-conscious at first so try it out at home, in a bathroom cubicle or staff canteen.

Whenever you do a Yoga routine, you should take a few moments to sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing. It is important to connect your mind, body and spirit to become focused on the movements you are about to perform.

Start Position: Sit in a basic position with your back straight and shoulders relaxed on an armless chair, letting the hands hand loosely at your sides. If you do not have a chair without arms you can stand up straight and tall.

Activity: Slowly move your shoulders forward in a circular manner about 10 times and repeat the same in a slow backward circular motion. Let your arms be free and easy.

Shoulder Blade Squeeze

Start Position: Sit on an armless chair and clasp your hands or interlace your fingers behind you at a normal sitting posture with the back straight. The exercise starts with an exhalation.

As you Exhale: Draw straightened elbows towards each other squeezing your shoulder blades together

Hold for 2 breaths.

As you inhale: The straightened elbows are relaxed and allowed to move away from each other slowly.

Repeat 3 times with one breath out and in for each repetition.

Arm Workout

Start position: Place fingertips on shoulders with your elbows in front of you.

As you Inhale: Bring your elbows towards each other and then lift both elbows together allowing the elbows to move away from each other as they pass be the sides of your head. Try to reach with your fingertips as low as possible on your shoulder blades.

Hold for 3 breaths

As you Exhale: Start lowering your elbows to start position while bringing your elbows together.

Repeat 3 times

Shoulder Lifting and Squeezing

Start Position: Sit in a basic position with back and arms straight.

As you Inhale: Slowly draw your shoulders up towards your ears.

As you Exhale: a. Draw your shoulders slowly backward squeezing your shoulder blades together. Pull back as far as you can- without causing discomfort

b.While continuing to exhale bring your shoulders downwards and gradually let up on the squeeze until your hands reach the normal start position. At this point shoulders must droop down as though a heavy weight is being carried in both hands.

Repeat 3 times.

For more information and further support please visit. www.lawcare.org.uk

LawCare offers a free and confidential 365 day a year service to members of the legal profession and their families.

LawCare was established in 1997 in response to a perceived problem of alcohol abuse within the legal profession. Since then its scope and the services it offers have developed considerably. Today, LawCare’s mission is twofold:

1. To provide a support, advice, information and referral for professional treatment service to lawyers suffering from health problems such as substance abuse, addiction, stress, depression and eating disorders across the UK. In England and Wales the services are available to Judges, Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Executives; in Scotland, to Solicitors; and in Northern Ireland, to Judges and Solicitors. The services are also available to lawyers’ immediate families, colleagues, and staff.

2.To educate and inform the legal profession and the public at large about such issues, encouraging firms and individuals to put in place practises and policies which can help prevent problems from arising, or make them easier to deal with if they do occur.

For news and events from LawCare please click on :

www.lawcare.org.uk/lawcarenews.