Lessons Missouri lawyers can learn about self-care from lawyers across the globe
Emily Jarrett is the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program (MOLAP) clinician and well-being coordinator.
Creating a sustainable practice that supports well-being can help Missouri lawyers even better serve their clients.
International Self-Care Day is July 24. This day stresses the importance of self-care as a cornerstone of well-being and encourages individuals to make self-care a part of their everyday routine and a priority.1
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, self-care means taking the time to do things that help one live well and improve both physical and mental health.2 Small acts of self-care in one’s daily life can help manage stress, lower the risk of illness, and increase energy. For lawyers, self-care is often viewed as something to do when time allows, but when demands are high, self-care becomes even more important to implement.
The need for increased well-being efforts in the legal profession applies globally. A survey by the International Bar Association in 2020 covering 124 jurisdictions found that 41% of lawyers would not discuss mental well-being concerns with their employer for fear it may negatively impact their career.3 Yet, one in three lawyers said their work has a negative or extremely negative impact on their well-being. Just over 32% surveyed indicated a fear of being treated differently as a reason to not speak out, 17.2% feared not being believed or taken seriously, and 24.1% indicated their employer does not sufficiently recognize mental well-being issues.
How have lawyers learned to cope? Over 50% of lawyers reported using exercise, taking leave, and/or a break as a strategy and coping mechanism.4
The IBA study also found reduced levels of well-being in around half of the respondents relative to the general population, with women, younger participants, and participants from ethnic minority backgrounds reporting significantly poorer well-being.5 These findings are not surprising given a culture in the legal profession of stigma surrounding well-being.
While the need for self-care is universal, the way individuals practice self-care varies by region across the globe. A study spanning 102 nations and 13 distinct global regions found that overall mindful self-care practice was most frequent in the Americas and East and South Asia.6 Mind-body practice was more common in South America and East and South Asia. South America, East Asia, and Southeast Asia scored highest in mindful awareness, mindful relaxation, and self-compassion and purpose. This reflects cultural values that emphasize one’s body, emotions, and mind.
Other specific self-care practices vary by country. People in the Czech Republic love hiking, Swedes often enjoy coffee and cake breaks, people in India practices laughter yoga, and those in Persia use rose water to relax.7
LawCare, a legal mental health organization in the United Kingdom, suggests five-minute micro-breaks between meetings, setting boundaries on availability by turning off notification after 8 p.m., and practicing saying “no” to one extra task each week.8 The Australian Law Journal encourages lawyers to prioritize self-care by setting ‘rituals’ to shift between high stress and recovery time, fostering self-compassion, implementing healthy sleep patterns, and incorporating slow diaphragmatic breathing .
What can lawyers do to prioritize self-care and well-being activities while also balancing the responsibilities of being a legal professional? Below are five steps to consider when incorporating self-care practice into your day-to-day routine:9
1. Identify self-care and well-being practices that align with your values. Lawyers spend much of their day responding to the needs of clients. Before creating a plan, identify what is most important to you and your ideal well-being routine. Consider the following areas of well-being to guide you: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental, and financial.
2. Start small and focus on where you can add self-care. Something is better than nothing. Start by adding in a 10-15-minute walk over your lunch hour between dockets. Attach new habits to parts of your routine you already regularly implement.
3. Schedule self-care and well-being activities on your calendar. Prioritize self-care similarly to how you would prioritize a client appointment on your schedule. In countries like Australia, partners routinely block their calendars for “non-negotiable” activities like surfing or midday exercise, setting a firm-wide example that taking time away from the desk is acceptable.
4. Don’t be afraid to be open about taking time for self-care and well-being. In a field that strives for perfection, lawyers often feel they must be “on” at all times. Take a note from the Norwegians, who normalize fostering a sense of balance, belonging, and well-being habits.
5. Reassess your goals periodically. Keep track of your goals per quarter and adjust as needed.
Lawyers must remind themselves that their job is not their sole identity. This International Self-Care Day, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program encourages you to prioritize self-care in a way that is of value. Whether that means exercising, reconnecting with supportive relationships, practicing self-compassion, or taking time to rest, self-care is an important investment in both personal and professional well-being. How will you choose to incorporate self-care into your schedule?
The Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program is a professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students. Through a variety of free services, MOLAP helps individuals overcome personal concerns such as substance use, depression, stress and burnout. Learn more and schedule an appointment with MOLAP at MoBar.org/MOLAP.
Endnotes:
1 Maysara Mirzaliyeva, INTERNATIONAL SELF CARE DAY – Jul. 24, 2026, NATIONAL TODAY (June 11, 2026), https://nationaltoday.com/international-self-care-day/.
2 Caring for Your Mental Health, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (April 2026), https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health.
3 PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON MENTAL WELLBEING IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION, INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION, MENTAL WELLBEING IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION: A GLOBAL STUDY 9 (October 2021) https://www.ibanet.org/document?id=IBA-report-Mental-Wellbeing-in-the-Legal-Profession-A-Global-Study.
4 Id. 37
5 Id. 24, 25.
6 Ming Yu Claudia Wong, Jason Timothy Hotchkiss, Ana Claudia Mesquita Garcia, Catherine Cook-Cottone, Wendy Guyker, Mindful Self-Care Practices Around the World—Score Reporting and Rasch Modeling of Mindful Self-Care Factors Among 13 Regions and Across 102 Countries, 15 MINDFULNESS 7, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381186830_Mindful_Self-Care_Practices_Around_the_World-Score_Reporting_and_Rasch_Modeling_of_Mindful_Self-Care_Factors_Among_13_Regions_and_Across_102_Countries.
7 Maria Diment, Self-Care Practices Around the World, ALTA LANGUAGE SERVICES, INC. https://altalang.com/beyond-words/self-care-practices-around-the-world/.
8 Frieda Levycky, Alicia Koch, Small shifts, big impact: micro self-care tips for the busy lawyer, LAWCARE, https://lawcare.org.uk/resource/small-shifts-big-impact-micro-self-care-tips-for-the-busy-lawyer/.
9 Ann Cosimano, Lessons from Norway: 5 Tips to Improve Your Wellbeing, ARAG, https://www.araglegal.com/learning-center/attorney-resources/building-a-law-practice/improve-your-wellbeing.