JUNIOR LAWYERS DIVISION
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awyers are notoriously bad at self-care, despite working in a competitive, demanding and high-pressure profession. It is more important than ever to remember that whilst we’re staying in to protect the physical health of ourselves and others, we have to be protecting our mental health too. Here are our top tips on fighting those winter lockdown blues: 1. Get outside and get some fresh air… Believe it or not, there’s still a world out there! Working from home can lead to us sitting around more. We aren’t getting outside as much either, now that commuting and walking to work seems like a thing of the distant past. Studies have shown that getting outside for a walk and some fresh air has a positive impact on concentration and mental wellbeing. It’s also a great chance to get some well-needed Vitamin D too. 2. Treat yourself! Many of us started trying to develop some positive habits during the first lockdown and some of us are still working on it nine months on. But it’s important to remember to reward yourself for all that hard work and exercise from time to time. A little indulgence isn’t just restricted to the festive season, so why not get yourself something nice this weekend? Go on, you’re worth it! 3. Look away from that screen Screens are an essential part of modern work and social life, and that’s exactly why we need to give ourselves time away from them when we can. It’s good for your eyes and your mind alike to have a break from the notifications and the stress of endless updates in your inbox. And no, that doesn’t mean walking away from your work desk and going to scroll on your phone. That’s a screen too! 4. Reach out to someone Lawyers are communicators, and what we do always involves people somewhere along the line. That’s why it’s been especially hard for many of us to be stuck working from home, particularly for those who live alone or those who haven’t seen friends and family for months. Next time you’re thinking of that person, drop them a line and let them know you’re there. Schedule in a virtual coffee with that old friend or colleague, or give that person from the office a ring who you’ve not heard from for a while. For bonus points (see top tip #3) give someone a call and put them on speaker phone. That way you can leave the phone on the side and look away from a screen whilst you’re connecting with another human. Two birds, one stone. 5. Block out an hour for lunch Believe it or not, you don’t always have to work through lunch. That email can (usually) wait. Be your own boss and try giving yourself a strict slot for lunch if you can. As well as giving yourself time to reflect and relax, it will probably help you break up the day. Sitting around in one spot and working for hours tends to lead to more procrastination than if you impose some structure to your time. And finally… bonus #6 – try something new! New hobbies and experiments in the kitchen aren’t just the domain of lockdown 1.0. Find yourself a rogue new recipe to bake or get into a weird sport. Even if it goes badly, at least you’ll have new anecdotes to share. ■
Suzanna Eames Family Associate Farrer & Co.
20 | CENTRAL LONDON LAWYER
5 Top Tips for Self-Care in 2021 For many lawyers, it is starting to feel like we are stuck in a never-ending lockdown, never again to see the inside of a pub or a friend’s living room. The weather is grey and miserable and many of us are stuck working at home, rather than in the more social environment of the office (a place I am sure we once thought we wouldn’t miss).
