Well-Being in the Law Week – Take Time to Focus on You!

The Idaho State Bar Attorney Well-Being Task Force invites you to celebrate Well-Being in the Law Week, May 2nd through May 6th. Join other members of the profession, the courts and support staff by participating in these free activities that will improve your overall well-being.

We will focus on a different aspect of well-being Monday through Friday. Every day you will have at least three different suggestions for activities and education. This “well- rounded” wheel shows the well-being emphasis for each day of the week. There is something for everyone!

Click on the days of the week for specific activities including something to watch, something to read and something to do that is focused on an element of well-being for each day.

LISTEN TO THIS: The Joy of Movement, podcast interview of Dr. Kelly McGonigal about the latest research on why movement is so important for many facets of our wellbeing, 41 mins.

READ THIS: Reframe How You Think About Self-Care by Liane Davey. You might want to reconsider whether squeezing more into today is worth sacrificing what you can contribute tomorrow.

DO THIS: Get Moving Challenge. Peruse the Get Moving Activity Guide and pick a physical activity that you haven’t tried before and try it out this week. Inspire others by posting about it on social media using the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw.

Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind. – Nelson Mandela

WATCH THIS: Nature. Beauty. Gratitude TED talk, 9:30 mins. Time-lapse photography of awe-inspiring nature scenes with powerful words from a Benedictine monk as a meditation on being grateful for every day.

READ THIS: 21 Spiritual Goals to Grow in 2022 by Connie Mathers. Setting spiritual goals helps us connect to our spiritual side and gain clarity on the purpose of your life.

DO THIS: Cultivate Your Sense of Purpose. Take a free Purpose in Life Quiz and receive automatic feedback and recommendations for purpose-building activities, courtesy of the non-profit Greater Good Magazine.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. – Pablo Picasso

LISTEN TO THIS: How to Be Happier at Work, 54:29 mins. On the Happiness Lab Podcast, Yale psychologist Dr. Leslie Santos talks with Dan Harris (from Ten Percent Happier) about how to find greater happiness at work.

READ THIS: Positive Psychology in the Workplace by Brad Desmond. Founder of positive psychology Dr. Martin Seligman’s “PERMA” model offers five pathways to well-being. Learn how to apply them at work.

DO THIS: After reading the article above, take the Workplace PERMA Profiler (it’s free on U Penn’s Authentic Happiness website; you’ll just need to set up a free account). Make a plan (individually or with your work team) to increase one PERMA element over the next month.

“Passion for your work is a little bit of discovery, followed by a lot of development, and
then a lifetime of deepening.” – Angela Duckworth, psychologist and author of Grit

WATCH THIS: Creating More Lollipop Moments, TEDx talk, 6 mins. Drew Dudley talks about how everyday acts of kindness or social connection can have a large impact.

READ THIS: Want Stronger Relationships at Work? Change the Way You Listen by Manbir Kaur. Conversations that encourage cooperation and understanding result in the release of hormones like oxytocin that reinforce a bonding experience.

DO THIS: Be a Joy Multiplier. Read about how enthusiastically responding to others’ good news (called Active Constructive Responding or ACR) builds trust and connection. Then peruse an ACR Worksheet created by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (yes, the U.S. military teaches ACR!) and get started today practicing your ACR skills to build stronger relationships.

“That which isn’t good for the hive, isn’t good for the bee.” – Marcus Aurelius

LISTEN TO THIS: The Amazing Impact of Self Talk and How to Master It, 1:07 hr, podcast interview of Dr. Ethan Kross, author of bestseller Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.

READ THIS: You’ve Done Self Care. You’ve Languished. Now Try This, by Brad Stulberg. As the pandemic slogs on, many of us want to feel motivated and get unstuck. An evidence-based practice called behavioral activation—committing to engaging in valued and enjoyable activities—might help.

DO THIS: Vanquish Languishing. After reading the article above, check out the Vanquishing Languishing Activity Guide. It offers guidance on how to use behavioral activation strategies to incorporate more enjoyable and valued activities into your life to foster greater engagement and vitality.

“Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and
we obey them without realizing it.” -Vincent van Gogh

Thank you to the Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL) for leading the effort to raise awareness of the importance of well-being for all. For additional information, resources, and activities, please visit the Institute for Well-Being in Law website.  

Member of ISB’s Attorney Well-Being Task Force wish all of you continued health and well-being, especially following these challenging times.  If you are in need of any particular assistance, the Idaho Lawyer’s Assistance Program and its website offers resources in a wide range of areas—please do not hesitate to reach out.

Keep the Momentum Going Throughout May with the 31-Day Mental Health Challenge!

Check out this calendar for tips to make your life and work a little easier by focusing on yourself and you loved ones in the month of May.

Share Gratitude and Kindness with Others!

Easily send notes of gratitude, encouragement, and affection using IWIL’s e-card form.

If you have suggestions for activities for the Attorney Well-Being Task Force, please feel free to email the chair Julie Stomper at julie@beardstclair.com.