While working as a solicitor offers many rewards, it can also be challenging. Increased awareness and understanding of well-being issues will enable the profession to manage personal resources and maintain psychological fitness and health at work to successfully meet the challenges of professional life.

1. Law Society wellbeing statement – brings together all of the initiatives currently in place within the Society to support the well-being of the profession. It can be found in the members section at www.lawsociety.ie.
2. LawCare – the charity that supports and promotes mental health and well-being in the legal community throughout Ireland. It offers a free, confidential service funded by the Law Society, but completely independent of it. LawCare’s mission is to help all branches of the legal community with personal or professional concerns that may be affecting their mental health and well-being. Support spans the entire legal life, from student to training, through to practice and retirement. Visit www.lawcare.ie.
3. Health screening – a proactive approach to your own personal well-being and can help people identify risk factors, signs and symptoms of common conditions, which, if not detected early, could result in serious health issues. Health insurers and many private hospitals have various packages to allow you manage your health and well-being.
4. GP visits – regular check-ups by way of a visit to your GP can include a consultation with the doctor and a range of tests that include blood, cholesterol and blood pressure. Seeing your own doctor for screening is probably best, as s/he will be aware of your medical history.
5. Other medical visits – for example, dental and physiotherapy. Regular check-ups to your dentist can prevent serious dental problems and the expense these can cause if not caught in time. Similarly, a visit to a physiotherapist to assess and diagnose an injury or condition can allow for an early recommendation and an immediate course of action. Specific exercise programmes can be devised for specific injuries or conditions.
6. Gyms – while gyms may not appeal to everybody, they offer programmes to improve physical fitness and can tailor a programme to suit each individual’s needs. Exercising in a gym allows people with busy lives to fit in exercise in relatively short periods of time.
7. Sports clubs – membership of a sports club allows for physical exercise and social activities, whether it be golf, hill walking, sailing, tennis, soccer, cycling or whatever you prefer.
8. Walking – is a very simple form of exercise, is free, and requires no special equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes. Taking a walk a day is like the proverbial apple – there’s a good chance it’ll keep the doctor away. From helping to lose weight and de-stress, to lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of many chronic diseases, going for regular walks is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your health.
9. Complementary therapies – a reason to consider complementary therapies is to help achieve and maintain good health and relieve stress. Some of the more popular complementary therapies include massage, reflexology, relaxation techniques and meditation.
10. Regular breaks – don’t forget to take a break from work. Depending on circumstances, breaks will have to be tailored to suit your circumstances, but even short breaks can make a difference. You will feel better and come back to work refreshed.