Well-Being Week in Law: The value of connection
Connection is one of our most basic needs and is more integral to the legal profession than ever before. “In a breakdown of loneliness and social support rates by profession, legal practice was the loneliest kind of work.” (Achor, S., et al. 2018) The concept of social connection is the feeling that you belong to a group. How interesting that every Missouri lawyer belongs to this assemblage of peers with a unique shared experience and education, yet loneliness prevails.
“Loneliness is the subjective feeling that you’re lacking the social connections you need. It can feel like being stranded, abandoned, or cut off from the people with whom you belong—even if you’re surrounded by other people. What’s missing when you’re lonely is the feeling of closeness, trust, and the affection of genuine friends, loved ones, and community.” (Murthy, 2020, p 7).
In the hustle and bustle of a legal professional’s life, how do you develop closeness, trust, and the genuine affection of friends, families, and the community? Here are a few tips to address your social well-being:
- Be intentionally present with others by putting your phone down and avoiding social media
- Join an online group or community with shared interests, like on connect.MOBAR
- Open your office door for pop-ins or quick wave-byes from coworkers
- Contribute to groups that matter to you (a committee; a homeless shelter; an animal rescue; a peer or law student mentorship)
- Have open communication with those around you by demonstrating empathy, genuine interest, and your a willingness seeking to listen instead of respond
- Connect with a family member or close friend to have a meaningful conversation
- Collaborate with a colleague by looking for new opportunities to combine your talents and skills
When we take the time to foster social connection with others, whether it is for a few seconds or a few hours of interaction, we are meeting a hard-wired human need. Neglecting this basic need can often put our health at risk. Social connection helps us regulate emotions while increasing self-esteem and empathy. It can also help boost our immune system and lower anxiety and depression (cmha.ca).
The National Institute of Health provides a social wellness toolkit suggesting that we maintain social well-being by:
- Recognizing how other people influence you
- Sharing your feelings honestly
- Asking for what you need from others
- Listening to others without judgement or blame
- Disagreeing with others respectfully
Prioritize social wellness the same as other dimensions of wellness by seeking out daily opportunities to connect with others. Nurturing these connections can lead to greater happiness, resilience, and overall improvement in quality of life, allowing you to even better serve your clients and community.
If you’d like to discuss how you could improve your overall wellness, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is here to help! Please consult the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program at 1-800-688-7859 for free, confidential counseling.
References:
Shawn Achor, et. al., “America’s Loneliest Workers, According to Research,” Harv Bus Rev, Mar 19, 2018.
Vivek Murthy, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connect in a Sometimes Lonely World (2020).
The importance of human connection, Oct. 17, 2019. Canadian Mental Health Association.