This time of year is stressful. Add to it the stress of law school or the stress of running a law firm, and it is substantially more stressful. Don't get me wrong. There are people who have it worse than those of us lucky enough to run our own firms. But, it is not as cush as being a highly paid professional athlete who gets paid to play a game. (Sorry, that was a tangent there.)
Once again, courtesy of Men's Health, here are some tips to help you break your stress cycle. (By the way, where else are you going to get references to Sports Illustrated, Men's Health, Harry Chapin, and Willy Wonka!)
- If you act happy, alert and relaxed, you will feel it.
- Slow your breathing and this will snap you out of the shallow breaths of stress.
- Do not buy things on credit while you are stressed.
- Do not let "choice overload" add to your stress. If you are going to buy, then just buy it!
- Turn off the tv if no one is watching it as this low-lvel noise can add stress.
Want some more tips?
- Accept the stress that you cannot avoid and find ways to change the stress you can avoid.
- Stay away from alcohol, junk food and tobacco, but you knew that, right?
- Watch the dumb sitcoms on television - laughter will help.
- Stop multitasking, it makes you take longer to get things done!
- Write out the things that are causing you stress.
- And, finally, my favorite: find a release valve. I have been playing soccer my whole life. When I started law school, I figured that would be the end. But, instead I found a pick up game that is played in my town every Sunday. Those guys were great for me. I burned some energy, had a ton of fun, and everyone would ask me about school - thus motivating me. I still play and those guys now ask about my practice. It is a great way to burn stress. I also go to the gym, and that works. The point - find something that works for you to release your stress and go do it!
Stress is a part of life. You cannot avoid it. These tips, hopefully, will make your life a little less stressful.
-------Jonathan
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