Pre-Law Wellness Week

Welcome to the inaugural Illinois Pre-Law Wellness Week!

Wellness is an important aspect of success in the legal profession. The American Bar Association has worked to place increasing focus on wellness for attorneys, judges, and law students through various initiatives and resources. The Well-Being Week in Law, hosted annually by the Institute for Well-Being in Law, occurs during the first week of May and is one of these initiatives. Wellness in the legal profession is a very important, therefore making wellness a priority as an undergraduate student is an important part of the pre-law journey. As we enter the heart of the application cycle and approach the busy final weeks of the fall semester, we invite you to join us for a special Wellness Week celebration with a focus on pre-law students!

The idea that wellness is an element of professionalism has received much-needed attention over the last several years. Today, there is a strong focus at many levels on ensuring that those pursuing a legal career have the tools, resources, and support they need to excel in the profession. And, you don’t have to wait until you get to law school to build a strong foundation. Learning how to take care of yourself now will pay dividends in the future. We have created this blog post and Instagram series to highlight some things you can start implementing today to help you achieve your personal wellness goals.

Follow PLAS on Instagram and join us for a week focused on well-being tips and resources for pre-law students!

Tip # 1: Water

It is no secret that water is vital to life. However, as lives get busy with classes, exams, or law school applications, it can be easy to forget to drink enough. One tip is to drink water when you first wake up. Another great way to stay hydrated is to carry a refillable water bottle and set a timer to remind you to take an extra sip. Water can help students boost energy, increase attention and brain function, and boost your immune system! (Source)

Tip # 2: Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep can lead to difficulty in remembering and processing information, which can affect a student’s ability to retain information learned in class. Signs of sleep deprivation can include fatigue, irritability, mood changes, trouble coping with stress, difficulty focusing, and brain fog. (Source)

Here are some tips for developing healthier sleep habits:

  • Limit caffeine close to bedtime.
  • Avoid electronics within an hour of bedtime.
  • Engage in movement / physical activity (like walking to and from class!)
  • Try to be consistent with your bedtime and rise time.

View more tips here. Here is a great read from EsquireWell on the importance of sleep within the legal profession.

Tip # 3: Meditation / Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the ability to bring awareness to the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can happen in many ways, including bringing attention to your obligations and creating an organized plan for how to approach each task. Mindfulness is shown to improve sleep, reduce feelings of overwhelm, improve attention, and more. (Source)

Meditation is a tool to create more mindfulness in your life. There are many ways to incorporate meditation into your life! For example, being in nature is a form of meditation, and so is taking a few deep, mindful breaths during the day. The goal of meditation is to find something that works with your lifestyle. It may take a little exploration to find your fit and the effort will be worthwhile!

If you are curious about different types of meditation, check out this resource:
9 Types of Meditation: Which One Is Right for You?

Did you know that you can learn about breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation right here on campus? Check out Mindfulness & Relaxation Workshops to view upcoming classes. You can also learn more through the University’s Extension Office by visiting Mental Health | Illinois Extension | UIUC.

Tip # 4: Movement / Activity

Just as our bodies need water and sleep, they too need movement. You will probably notice a theme emerging of the benefits produced by the wellness techniques shared, and movement is no exception. Benefits include reduced anxiety, improved self-esteem, and better problem-solving skills. (Source)

A great tip for incorporating movement into your day, particularly on long days of studying, is to get up and stretch at least once an hour; or, start with neck rolls or shoulder shrugs while sitting at your desk. There are plenty of opportunities to incorporate movement into your day on campus by walking more to class or checking out the ARC and other Campus Rec facilities.

Tip # 5: Joy / Gratitude

Research shows that joy and gratitude are inextricably linked. (Source) “It’s not the joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” Dr. Brene Brown

Dr. Brown shares that while an attitude of gratitude is a good place to start, simply having an attitude towards gratitude “doesn’t always translate into action”. (Source) The magic is in the action, and that action doesn’t have to be super complicated. The act of verbalizing your gratitude can have a profound impact on your overall joy and happiness. Write down 1-3 three things you are grateful for today, tell a friend what you appreciate about them, or look in the mirror and appreciate yourself. These moments of intention are particularly helpful in times of stress or days when your work and study load are very full and frustrations can easily take hold.

In what ways will you express gratitude today?

Here at PLAS we are incredibly grateful to work with so many wonderful students and alumni! Cheers to your success!

Resources

We invite you to check out these resources to help you get started on (or continue!) your wellness journey.

Additionally, we have even more resources for you on the PLAS Canvas page!

Wellness Resources

Note: You must enroll in the PLAS Canvas page to access these resources. Click here for instructions.