Thriving in the Legal Profession: Maximizing Well-Being; Optimizing Performance

In recognition of Well-Being Week in Law, which takes place May 4-8, 2026, BARBRI is highlighting tips and ideas to help those in the legal profession become more aware of mental health and improve well-being this week and throughout the year. 

Studies show that lawyers tend to have higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse than many other professions. Why is this? And how can you maximize performance and productivity while thriving and maximizing your well-being?  

As the SkillBurst, a BARBRI company, Well-Being series module “Thriving in the Legal Profession: Maximizing Well-Being; Optimizing Performance” explains, you can think about it as a healthy cycle. A strong foundation of well-being can foster increased productivity and performance and even a sense of belonging. But the opposite is also true. Without a strong sense of well-being, it’s possible to get caught in a downward spiral of anxiety, burnout, and even substance abuse, which hampers productivity and performance. 

Here are five healthy habits that can help you achieve that balance, according to the BARBRI professional skills course. 

#1: Shift your mindset about stress 

Changing the way you think about stress can make you healthier. While stress can become debilitating, some stress is healthy and productive, as long as it’s short-lived. Your body’s response to a stressor can help meet a challenge, improving concentration and productivity while boosting immunity and future resilience. Think about shifting to a mindset that views stress as enhancing. This can help negate some of the negative psychological effects. 

#2: Use your strengths, find meaning, and increase your engagement 

Those who feel like they are using their natural strengths, skills, and abilities at work are more productive, happier, and healthier. They also find more meaning in their work, have higher levels of engagement, and experience lower levels of perceived stress. Pursue the things that create meaning in your life, and then trust that you can handle the stress that results. You can do that by looking for opportunities to contribute in ways that enable you to do what you do best. Reaching out to a mentor or trusted colleague to explore specific ideas could be helpful. 

#3: Look for opportunities to exert control 

When you have more control over your work, you tend to have less anxiety and depression. Job control is one of the most important predictors of satisfaction and work motivation, often even more important than pay. According to one study, stressful jobs can be beneficial to employee health, as long as employees also have freedom in decision-making. Look for ways to increase your control at work, such as flexibility over your daily schedule or pursuing certain types of projects. This will foster a greater sense of well-being and increase your level of engagement. 

#4: Manage your energy and take time to recharge 

When there’s too much work and deadlines are looming, it’s tempting to try to push through by getting less sleep or taking fewer breaks. However, this is actually counterproductive and conflicts with the body’s natural energy cycles. Instead, you must take periodic breaks to renew your energy.   

Energy naturally ebbs and flows in cycles throughout the day. If you take advantage of these cycles, you can become more productive every day and healthier in the long run. Ignoring these cycles can ignite your body’s stress response, increasing your anxiety and ultimately degrading cognitive abilities. Taking periodic 10 to 15-minute breaks will actually increase your productivity. Pay attention to your own energy cycles during the day and take a break when you find yourself getting tired or your attention is wandering. That break should involve a change of pace, such as taking a walk or doing some mindfulness exercises. And take some time away from the office, so you can recharge. 

#5: Talk about it  

You should enlist the support of others and provide encouragement and support when your friends and colleagues need it. Social support can directly improve your overall health and decrease the effects of stress. Just knowing that you have a support network in place makes a difference. And being part of someone else’s support network can be just as beneficial, if not more so. Look for opportunities to build your social connections. And don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues about the actions you are taking and what has worked for them–and take an interest in what they are doing as well. And when you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for it. 

Don’t forget that well-being is a skill just like playing an instrument. The more you practice, the better you will be, and SkillBurst can help!