FEBRUARY 2025 | 53 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL and maintain healthy habits that help preserve your motivation levels. Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining physical health, boosting mood and reducing stress. Even a short walk outside, when possible, can work wonders for clearing your head and refueling your energy. Additionally, paying attention to your diet, hydration and sleep is essential. The cold weather often leads to comfort eating or skipping workouts, but maintaining a balanced routine will help keep your body and mind sharp. Remember, if you or any of your friends or colleagues are struggling, the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program is here to help. Bar members can receive up to six hours of shortterm, problem-focused or crisis counseling at no cost. By simply calling the Lawyers Helping Lawyers hotline at 800-364-7886, you can connect with a counselor for help with stress, depression or addiction. And remember, this service is free and confidential. Monthly peer support groups are also an option, and please remember in the event of a crisis, immediate help is available by calling 988, the nationwide suicide prevention hotline. BREAK UP THE WORKDAY Sitting at a desk for extended periods, especially in the winter when you may already feel sluggish, can make it harder to maintain motivation. Break up your workday by implementing short, structured breaks every 60-90 minutes. Use these breaks to stretch, take a brief walk, or even practice deep-breathing exercises to reenergize. You can also take breaks to connect with colleagues or clients, which can help alleviate the isolation some may experience during the winter months when work hours are more extended. Sometimes, the workday doesn’t allow for these changes. When that is the case, I will often shift to my stand-up desk or my conference table. Small changes can make a difference! I find a change of scenery can stimulate your mind and improve your focus. FOCUS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Winter can be an ideal time to focus on professional growth. When the workload may slow down or become more routine, taking time to sharpen your skills or deepen your knowledge in a specific area of law can reignite your passion for the profession. Consider attending or watching our many on-demand CLE programs through WebCredenza, the OBA’s online learning platform. If you are reading this, you have probably already taken the time to stay current on my favorite legal publication, the Oklahoma Bar Journal. Setting aside time for intellectual enrichment not only benefits your career but also helps you feel more engaged and motivated in your daily work. You could also consider networking with colleagues or mentors to discuss industry trends or challenges. These conversations can help you stay connected with your professional community and may provide new perspectives that refresh your enthusiasm. This is another medium the OBA can assist you with. Join an OBA committee or section that interests you and get to know other members. And don’t forget about our Communities platform! Communities provides a great way to stay connected. In fact, it is the main communication hub for our committees and sections, and it automatically links with your MyOKBar account, so your information is synced. Please check out this free online member benefit if you are not already using it!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTk3MQ==