Staying Active Together
LCL is grateful to the Minnesota Women Lawyers Legal Athletes for this guest blog to kick off our Well-Being Week in Law series.
Making time to be physically active is not always easy, especially for busy lawyers. But why deprioritize something that can help us be happier, healthier, and more productive? As attorneys, our most valuable asset is our brain. Physical activity can help us think and problem-solve, improve our memory, and reduce anxiety and depression.[1] Certain exercises like yoga or running can train our brain to focus on our breath and the present moment.[2] Mindfulness practices like these can reduce the symptoms of mental health issues, reduce stress, improve attention to detail, enhance our interpersonal skills, and create greater emotional resilience.[3] By prioritizing our mental health through physical activity, we show up better for our clients, our colleagues, and ourselves.
Clearly, the benefits of physical activity go far beyond physical appearance. These benefits are what the Minnesota Women Lawyers Legal Athletes Affinity Group strives to target and promote. The Legal Athletes support its members through candid conversations about staying motivated to be active while juggling demanding schedules and life commitments. We brainstorm ways to make working out a habit, e.g., blocking out the time on your calendar and sending reminders like we do for meetings. And we make it fun by trying new workout classes, hiking new trails, and attending community events and races.
We hold each other accountable to prioritize physical activity, and offer members support when our schedules truly won’t allow for it. By prioritizing physical activity and supporting each other to maintain a routine, the Legal Athletes demonstrate that working out isn’t a chore to check off the list but a lifestyle that promotes wellbeing in our profession and community.
Where do you find support for your physical well-being? LCL can help.
[1] See Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [2] See Be Here Now: How to Exercise Mindfully, New York Times. [3] See Mindfulness for Lawyers, Jon Krop.