By Noreen Braman
New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program
The year-end holiday season is often presented as a time of joy and fun. However, it can also be a time of high stress, depression and anxiety. Underlying personal issues as well as national and global events can exacerbate these feelings. One may feel pressured to “be jolly” which can only add to distress.
Lawyers can suffer from extra stress at this time, especially this year because of the pandemic. Courts may have limited hours and clients, who also are experiencing individual holiday stress, may become anxious about pending cases and want updates. Attorneyatwork.com suggests shifting some business and personal tasks to others, giving yourself personal time, and also celebrating your successes in the past year.
Debra L. Wentz, president and CEO of New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, said with the COVID-19 pandemic, feelings of stress, depression and anxiety may be heightened because of isolation.
“To maintain mental and physical health, it is important that if people do decide to hold family gatherings that the proper safety protocol is followed, including social distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing. If families cannot meet in person, then they can meet virtually. It is also important at this time to practice self-care routines to ease any ‘holiday blues’ or SAD (seasonal affective disorder) symptoms,” Wentz said.
She offered more tips in this article, The “Holiday Blues” Are More Melancholic in the COVID-19 Pandemic
To paraphrase something I’ve said before, being grateful that 2020 is over, and patting yourself on the back for getting through it, is a legitimate well-being enhancer.
Below are more helpful links.
Home for the Holidays: How Are You Coping as 2020 Comes to a Close?
2020 Roundup: Essentials for the End of Year Holiday Season in the Legal Profession
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles: President’s Message
‘Hurricane Season for Mental Health’— Lawyers With Holiday Stress Put These Coping Mechanisms in Your Arsenal Now
Holiday Stress Revisited
New Holiday Traditions in the Pandemic Era
Stress Management Tips for Busy Lawyers
Grief, Loss, Burnout: Talking About Complex Feelings at Work