Attorneys work extremely hard. They are taking care of people all the time -- clients, children, colleagues, but they often don’t take time to take care of themselves.
“Often, we get lost in the shuffle,” said Charles Nechtem, a therapist and founder of Charles Nechtem Associates. Nechtem spoke recently to nearly 100 New Jersey State Bar Association members who joined “Caring for the Caregiver, Achieving Lifelong Good Mental Health.” The program is an offering from the Association’s new Member Assistance Program, which aims to provide attorneys – and those who live in their households – with support and tools to address depression, anxiety, stress and support wellness.
There is no single right way to take care of yourself, said Nechtem, whose company helps administer the assistance program. It can look different day to day and year to year.
Addressing mental health can be intimidating. For many, it is daunting to figure out how to get started or what to do to keep the momentum going after the initial efforts are underway. Taking care of yourself can be accomplished in big and small ways. Here are some small ideas to incorporate into your daily journey.
Here are nine tips and guiding principles to consider:
1. Learn how to make do; forget about doing the best you can all the time.
2. Try counseling.
3. Chat with pets or plants.
4. Give yourself permission to take a mental health day. Or take even a few minutes to decompress and regroup.
5. Live simply.
6. Keep an open mind.
7. Employ exercise or meditate – or both!
8. Seek humor.
9. Remember: The world is OK.
The NJSBA's Member Assistance Program is a free confidential service that offers 24/7 phone, text or mobile access to a mental health professional with at least seven years of experience, who will provide individual counseling and connect members with a wellness library of more than 25,000 self-help resources. The program is available to all NJSBA members and those in their households. Get help today by calling 800-531-0200.