CBA Record May-June 2020

LPMT BITS & BYTES BY ANNE HAAG WellnessWhileWorkingDuring a Global Crisis

For a deeper dive on attorney well- ness, watch “How To... Maintain Well- ness While Working From Home” via live webcast on May 19. See www. chicagobar.org/cle for details (on demand video will be available 5-10 day after the live viewing). IL Mental/ Health Substance Abuse PR-MCLE credit available. are on YouTube (and the dated aesthetics offer some much-needed comic relief ), or try Yoga With Adrienne. The sky is really the limit when it comes to YouTube workouts. Notwithstanding my cookie con- sumption, try to eat a balanced diet. This is no easy feat when also trying to minimize grocery store trips. I’ve found it helpful to shop for vegetable-heavy recipes that freeze well when I do go to the store. I can cook the recipes while the veggies are fresh, but freezing the extras prolongs their otherwise limited shelf-life. Instead of watching TV before bed, read a book. Try something you wouldn’t normally read. I usually prefer non- fiction, but I’ve found fiction to be much more appealing of late (not all escapism is unhealthy). Plus, you spare your brain the LED light from electronics that’s notori- ous for wrecking sleep patterns. Zoom doesn’t have to be just for work! My parents usually get together with friends for dinner every Friday, and they’ve moved their gatherings to Zoom. It’s certainly not ideal, but it’s a good way to feel connected with friends and loved ones. If you enjoy seeing live comedy or music under normal circumstances, some local venues like the Hideout have started virtual iterations of their lineups. Just be sure to contribute to their virtual “tip jars” if you can, as their staff are among the hardest hit right now. Whatever you do, take care of yourself, and remember that we at the CBA are here to offer resources for however long this lasts (and beyond).

M y original plan for this issue’s column was to write about how CBA members can maintain their mental and physical health while working remotely throughout the Covid- 19 pandemic. Initially, I feared this content might be outdated by the time this May/ June issue was published. However, the city’s stay-at-home order has been extended, and the topic of health maintenance while working remotely continues to be even more relevant. Initially, I wondered how I, someone who sometimes eats chocolate chip cook- ies for breakfast, could possibly impart any wisdom on this topic. I have been quaran- tined alone in my 1-bedroom apartment for weeks. In truth, one of the best things we can do for our mental health right now is to admit that things are hard. Not everyone will make it out of this unscathed. So before I delve into some wise advice that I most days only aspire to, I want to lend credence to any stress, anxiety, dread, despair, or other uncomfortable emotions you might be feeling right now. Sit with these feelings, and don’t judge yourself for feeling them. Just try to discern when going for a quick run or doing a little yoga might be the kinder thing you can do for yourself. However, if eating a few cookies for breakfast every now and thenmakes you feel a bit better right now, go for it. Anne Haag is the CBA’s Law Practice Management Advisor, a certified crisis intervention counselor, and a volunteer withResilienceas a trauma- informed ER advocate for sexual assault survivors.

Now on to some tips.These are all tactics that can help cope with stress: Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night, on a regular schedule (meaning, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day). Although this might be dif- ficult during high-stress times, the sleep will actually help you cope with the stress better. Melatonin can be a helpful short-term sleep aid to help you reset this schedule. Note that while alcohol might cause drowsiness, it actually suppresses the brain’s ability to get the deep REM sleep that it needs for these benefits to actually be spurred. Work in short bursts. The brain is overloaded right now, so your ability to focus is going to be negatively impacted. Set a timer, and work with no distractions or interruptions for 20 minutes. Take a 5-10 minute break, then repeat. Make two music playlists, one for your work bursts and one for your breaks. The work burst playlist can feature ambi- ent or classical music, both genres that are proven to help you focus. The break playlist can include anything you find refreshing (I’ve found George Harrison’s 1970 album All Things Must Pass to be of particular comfort, or maybe even more timely, John Prine’s 1971 self-titled album). Exercise is a must right now, as your daily activity levels have probably dropped drastically. The endorphins help combat some of the stress you’re likely feeling as well. If you live in an area where you can get outside while still maintaining social distance, go for a walk or a run. If you can’t get outside, search YouTube for some fresh workout ideas. All of Jane Fonda’s workout videos

46 May/June 2020