The legal profession puts significant strains on its practitioners. Lawyers voluntarily assume custody of their clients’ biggest problems and life goals. To manage that heavy responsibility while living a complex adult life, there are several practical tips that can help lawyers positively maintain their mental health. As a senior lawyer who has practiced through family and personal health challenges, the following recommendations come from years of trial and error (mostly error).

A Search for Self-Awareness

Not every tip works for every person, so the first practical suggestion is to search for some self-awareness. What works for you? Are you an empath? A stoic? With a degree of self-awareness, you’ll know what recommendations fit your personality. Professional mental health assistance can be valuable to those who are open to it. Mind body connection practices (yoga, meditation, etc.) can be valuable too. The trick is to have a sense of what works for you—although you won’t really know until you try it.