Attorneys are known for their ability to thrive under pressure. Whether you’re an attorney who helps corporations protect their interests in multi-million-dollar deals or individuals protect their rights in court, you likely manage a significant amount of stress and work much more than the standard 40-hour work week. While many attorneys are aware of the toll their profession takes on their personal and social lives, a lesser number understand the impact that working from sun-up until sun-down can have on their sleep patterns and overall health.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult requires between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Getting too little sleep has been linked to various adverse mental, emotional and physical side effects including decreased cognitive functioning, mood swings, weight gain, and hypertension.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a full one-third of U.S. adults don’t get enough sleep. And, not surprisingly, the American Bar Association reports that attorneys are among the most sleep-deprived group of professionals. Over time, the effects of sleep deprivation compound, affecting an individual’s ability to concentrate, reason and make sound decisions—all skills that are essential when practicing law.
For busy attorneys who are consumed by tasks associated with client service, matter management, and professional development, there are never enough hours in the day. To get by, many attorneys work late into the night or get up early—robbing their bodies and brains of much-needed time to rest, recover and reset.
The result? Your mind isn’t as sharp and focused. Facts and information that were previously recalled easily, now escape you. You have trouble concentrating and are forced to read and re-read important case documents. You are physically worn out and often feel unwell.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be your reality. As millennial attorneys demand a better work/life balance, the cultural pendulum at many law firms is shifting. Leadership is beginning to recognize the vital role their attorneys’ wellness plays in the health and prosperity of their firm.
Unfortunately, after years of poor sleep habits, many attorneys who want to make sleep a personal wellness priority, struggle. If you have difficulty winding down at night and falling or staying asleep, the following tips can help:
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Turn off your screens—Turn off the television and your cellphone at least one hour before bed.
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Develop decompression rituals—Spend one hour before bed, unwinding from the day. Meditate, practice deep breathing or do some stretching or low-impact exercises.
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Go to bed earlier—Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
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Use the power of visualization to your advantage—Slow and deepen your breathing and visualize yourself in a deep sleep.
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Skip the nightcap—According to the National Sleep Foundation, alcohol interferes with your body’s normal chemical production and affects your ability to sleep soundly and stay asleep.
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Work through worries–Carve out 10 to 15 minutes earlier in the day to think about work and personal matters so you’re not lying awake thinking when you should be sleeping.
Need help incorporating more balance into your law firm and busy life? Download the Thomson Reuters white paper, Striking the right balance between work and home.
