Make Therapeutic Mental Health a Priority!

1. Write your thoughts down.

Let’s face it, whether you’re an attorney or a law student, life is always moving a million miles a second. Writing your thoughts down can help you feel centered and give you a moment to yourself, especially during a hectic day.

Taking a few minutes in the morning to write down your thoughts can help organize your day and ensure that you’re starting off your day on a positive note. If you find that you have more free time in the evenings, you can take a few minutes at the end of your day to reflect on your feelings and emotions and set goals for the following day.

Writing out your thoughts provides you with a private space to vent or to work through your concerns or emotions.

2. Replace negative thoughts with positive.

It is so easy to get down on yourself when you have a multitude of deadlines, reading, and plenty of other things on your to-do list. However, rather than being down on yourself for how much you have to do, put a positive spin on your accomplishments. Provide yourself with positive feedback for being able to accomplish the things you set out to do during a busy week. Make sure to take the time to be proud of yourself and what you’re doing and to think of your obligations in a positive light.

Don’t make life harder for yourself by living in the negative. If you find it difficult to find an upside and your stress feels all consuming, take a breath and think about ways to scale back and avoid burn out. Remember that no person is an island, so reach out to family members or friends if you need another perspective on how to find an upside to your situation.

3. Have a “self-care arsenal.”

Try to think of what makes you feel the most reset and relaxed. Whether it’s putting on your pajamas and watching your favorite TV show or having a glass of wine and reading a book, make time for self-care.

Your self-care arsenal gives you the time you need to unwind and focus on yourself. Even if it’s an hour or two once a week, give yourself something to look forward to and make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

4. Make a list of the people you can always rely on.

Make a list of the people in your life that support you and provide you with an outlet to share your thoughts and emotions. By creating a list and having those people in mind, you can check the list next time you’re struggling and need to reach out to one of your people.

Law school can be an all-encompassing endeavor, but try to make sure that you remain connected to the people that bring positivity into your life.