Today is an opportunity to reflect on our mental health
LawCare has shared its advice on how to tackle what’s meant to be the most miserable Blue Monday ever.
Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall, the guy behind the Blue Monday phenomenon, reckons the beginning of the third week in January has the highest ‘depression score’ in the whole 2017 calendar. This is because of, for example, looming Christmas credit card bills and failed New Year’s resolutions. Law students may also find this period particularly challenging because of January deadlines and vac scheme application stress.
But this year’s Blue Monday is set to be even more depressing than usual thanks to anxiety over Brexit and Donald Trump’s incoming presidency, and recent celebrity deaths.
Instead of wading in the doom and gloom, the charity thinks today “provides an opportunity to reflect on our mental health and what we can each do to maintain our well-being”.
Its advice to law students who are experiencing stress or feeling low is to make the best use of the support around them.
You can talk to teaching staff, consider counselling offered by law schools and — of course — call LawCare to talk through what is worrying you.
Other advice provided by the law well-being charity is to organise your study time and deadlines into a manageable plan, go to your GP to see if there is an underlying condition that could be treated, and to take time out for exercise and other non-work related activities.
A final word from LawCare:
These feelings can develop at any time of the year not just in January, so it’s always important to stay tuned in to your mind and body, and acknowledge what is happening to you. And if you notice someone on your course or a friend who may be struggling to cope, have a chat with them and let them know there is support.
You can contact LawCare here.
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