Editorial Note: Karolina and Kendall were on such a roll after their Mock Trial review, he decided to join her as a co-writer for this issue’s editorial. So read on, Ozzies, for double the fun and none of the stress.
Returning to school after a sumptuous break (or even worse, a dreadfully stressful one, replete with hours spent preparing summaries or participating in job interviews) is, undoubtedly, not an experience many of us look forward to. The library’s fluorescent lights seem a little more blinding, the course material a little less interesting, and the wind chills more agonizing. We’re all too familiar with the mental health concerns that plague our profession: sky-high rates of depression, substance abuse, and divorce plague lawyers, placing us at the bottom of the proverbial happiness ladder. But it doesn’t have to be so. Inspired by the uplifting and joyous send-off that was Mock Trial, we’re here to wipe the clouds away and bring a bit of sunshine to your post-reading week blues.
- Get organized: Ok, so this one is kind of a drag, but it is endlessly helpful. We’re all familiar with the benefits of mindfulness (even if none of us really know what it means) – this extends to creating order. The practice of organizing the external world will instantly deliver a sense of inner peace. Organization tips are ubiquitous, but the easiest ones to begin with include using lists and calendars to help you prioritize, as well as keeping a clean and sleek workspace, both literal and technological – those hard drives need a thorough cleanse too!
- Get involved: Take action, and do something that matters – whether to only you or the whole world. It may seem like adding anything to your to-do list is a perfect recipe for a nervous breakdown, but hear us out. Identifying something (preferably outside of law) that engages your passion and drive is an incredibly meaningful and grounding exercise. Identify an emotional or ideological commitment you already hold, and find a way to engage with it. The road to activism of any kind may seem daunting, but selecting goals for yourself to work toward – at however slow a pace, given our undeniably busy lives – not only gives you a sense of accomplishment (from something other than an A! Imagine that!), but the time away from textbooks will feel like a breath of fresh air.
- Eat better: Sorry, had to. Seriously, how many of us have given into the craving for a pastry or an extra glass of wine as a form of stress relief? And who can blame us, the perpetually overbooked and overtired, for indulging once in a while? But the truth is that these bad habits do nothing to increase overall happiness or decrease overall stress. We all know that healthy lifestyles strengthen our immune system and improve mental alertness, two things which are immediately helpful for our studies. However, it’s true that fitting in adequate time at the gym can be difficult to do during the school year. But the maintenance of a healthy (or at least reasonably healthy) diet requires much less effort or time than making sure you run 10km each day. Swap out sugary sweets for snacks like fruits and nuts, switch coffee for tea, and avoid deep-fried foods – these small and easy changes will put you miles ahead.
- Worry about today, not tomorrow: I haven’t started summaries! Exams are in six weeks! I don’t have summer work lined up! Silence that voice in your head that wants to jump five steps ahead and worry about what’s to come; focus on what you can tackle now, today. Spinning the mental wheels is notoriously common in type-A persons, but incredibly destructive. It saps energy which you could be channelling into working towards goals and deadlines, and redirects it into stress, anxiety, and a general lack of productivity. Stop this destructive cycle before it becomes unwieldy (because as we all know, anxiety breeds anxiety). Insufficient summaries? Stop panicking and start them (or find a generous upper-year). No summer work? Relax! This brings me to my next point…
- Be flexible: Many law students assume there’s a correct path for them to travel, and any variation will mean a narrowing of opportunities down the line. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is especially valuable advice to 1Ls who are returning from job interviews, or returning to Osgoode only to hear about everyone else’s interviews. The only limit on how you can spend your summer is your own imagination. Working outside of the legal sphere is perfectly fine (and it may even be preferred), but even more unconventionally, time spent travelling can be a surprising advantage later on. Apart from the obvious benefits that accrue from seeing the world (increased open-mindedness, greater adaptability, and pushing oneself outside of one’s comfort zone), it’ll make for great fodder come OCIs or articling interviews. So backpack through southeast Asia, hike the Inca trail, and drink your way through the vineyards of Tuscany – those partners at Blakes or Torys (or elsewhere) will love hearing about it.
Also, while law students have a tendency to over-complicate things, check out the simple advice of some of these experts:
- Peter Kahn, Professor, University of Washington, Department of Psychology: Open the window. Fresh air is a miracle-worker. But even exposure to the outside world through a glass pane melts away apprehension.
- Mehmet C. Oz, co-author of You: Stress Less: Send yourself flowers. “Without question, stress is mitigated by nature. Humans are comforted by vegetation.”Buy a houseplant to keep on your desk and cut flowers at your kitchen table.
- Laura Berman, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine: Pucker up. “It makes you feel less isolated, which is a source of anxiety.”Berman recommends at least one ten-second kiss a day. We recommend at least two.
- Julie Holland, Assistance Clinical Professor, New York University, School of Medicine: Step into the light. “Exposing your retina to sunlight resets your circadian rhythm so your brain is on a schedule.”Take a walk outside without sunglasses for twenty minutes a day, three times a week.
- Alison S. Troy, Assistant Professor, Franklin & Marshall College, Department of Psychology: Watch a tearjerker. “Thinking positively while watching a sad movie may help you cope with setbacks in the real world.”Come up with happy endings and good advice for the characters.
- Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Professor, Yale University, Department of Psychology: Adopt a pastime. “Overthinking without resolving anything draws us deeper into the feeling of being overwhelmed.”A recurring activity that requires you to engage with others—whether playing squash, taking a cooking class, or starting a reading group—lets you escape from your own head.
- Yehuda Baruch: Professor of Management, Rouen Business School: Drop an f-bomb. “People swear as a coping mechanism to relieve stress.”Just do so around your friends, and not around those lawyers you’re trying so hard to impress (or come to the Obiter office).
- Chris Streeter, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University, School of Medicine: Employ (some) yoga poses. “The part of the nervous system that relaxes the body and mind is stimulated when the spine is bent.”Inverted stances, such as back bends and headstands, have the greatest positive effect on your mood.
- Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simply Strategies for Serenity: Take a power nap. “There’s also an exercise you can do at your desk that’s just as refreshing.”Stack your forearms on the edge of the table, scoot back in your chair so your spine is extended, and rest your forehead on your arms for a few minutes.
And some parting thoughts (we left the hardest, and most enjoyable, for last):
- Turn off your phone. Seriously, it instantly raises your blood pressure.
- Put on some music. Classical music is best (and trust us, Debussyand Brahms are amazing).
- Watch a YouTube clip. Laughter is good for your health.
- Spend time with your best friend. They never see enough of you these days.
- Get away from the screen. Go offline at least an hour before bedtime.
- Stop being your own worst critic! There’s a reason you’re at Osgoode (you’re great).