Authored By: Rachel Minyard
Between the hectic rush hour commutes, a busy work schedule, and a whirlwind of responsibilities at home, it’s become apparent to many of us: We should focus on wellness in the workplace.
Kerriann Stout, “A millennial law school professor and founder of Vinco, a bar exam coaching company”, recently wrote an article for AbovetheLaw.com, entitled, “Legal Pillars of Wellness: Mental & Emotional Wellness.”
In the article, Stout says it’s become common knowledge the legal community often times has issues with anxiety, depression, burnout and overall personal wellness. She believes these things start in law school and tend to “explode” during the first few years of a young attorney’s life.
Stout, who’s personally struggled with anxiety and burnout for many years, has put together a list of tips and tricks to help legal professionals in their wellness journey.
Stout uses an eight-pillar model, called the “Legal Pillars of Wellness”:
- Mental & Emotional Wellness;
- Environmental Wellness;
- Physical Wellness;
- Financial Wellness;
- Spiritual Wellness;
- Intellectual Wellness;
- Occupational Wellness; and
- Social Wellness.
In the article, Stout discusses Pillar #1, Mental & Emotional Wellness. She says she often tells her students, ““If you’re not well, nothing else matters.”
Stout believes there are real life consequences to poor and mental wellness, including: increased risk for anxiety, substance abuse and burnout. Warning signs may include: mood swings, irritability, disinterested in fun activities, and sense of overwhelm.
She has a several ideas for improving wellness, such as journaling, meditation, and affirmations.
To read more about Stout’s tips and tricks, and to follow her series on AbovetheLaw.com, visit her article here.
Advocate Capital, Inc. values employee wellness and launched a wellness program in 2016, initiated by Vice President of Strategic Solutions Jeff Glueck. Since the program’s launch, employees have enjoyed walking/fitness competitions, monthly yoga and T’ai Chi classes, healthy snacks in company breakrooms, a monthly healthy cooking club, CPR courses, education courses and more.
Photo Credit: ronnarong thanuthattaphong