How can legal professionals stay sharp without burning out?
In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, psychologist Dr. Deborah Day joins Steve Riley to explore the realities of law firm stress, and the practical ways attorneys and legal teams can manage it. Drawing from decades of experience working with high-performing professionals, Dr. Day explains the difference between acute and chronic stress and how each affects your mind, body, and work performance.
She shares actionable tools to help lawyers navigate their demanding schedules, including better sleep hygiene, structured prep time, and clear boundaries that keep work from overtaking personal life. Whether you’re a litigator in the courtroom or part of a law firm’s support staff, these strategies offer tangible ways to reduce stress, protect your health, and sustain long-term success.
Steve and Dr. Day also unpack the psychology behind law firm stress; from the intensity of client conflict to the emotional weight of constant decision-making. They discuss how mindfulness, intentional routines, and healthy interactions can transform the way legal professionals experience pressure. Dr. Day emphasizes how simple daily habits like exercise, nutrition, and time for recovery play a powerful role in maintaining focus and avoiding burnout.
They also spotlight an often-overlooked part of stress management: training and supporting legal support staff. Dr. Day shares how setting boundaries and preparing team members for emotionally charged cases can protect morale and improve the firm’s overall performance. Her perspective on resilience, trauma recovery, and emotional regulation gives listeners a roadmap for staying steady in the face of adversity.
This episode offers lawyers and legal professionals alike a grounded, evidence-based approach to mental health, resilience, and high performance. Dr. Day’s compassionate, practical advice is a reminder that managing law firm stress isn’t just about surviving the job, it’s about building a sustainable, fulfilling career.
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Inside This Episode
- Managing stress in the legal profession, including distinguishing between acute and chronic stress
- Techniques for better sleep hygiene, focus restoration, and structuring work to prevent burnout
- Setting boundaries to keep work stress from impacting personal life
- Differences between forensic and clinical psychology in legal contexts, especially in high-stakes cases
- Strategies for self-care and maintaining mental health, emphasizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise
- Empowering legal support staff to handle stressful client interactions with assertiveness and clear boundaries
- Importance of resilience and self-compassion in overcoming challenges and trauma
