How Lawyers Can Manage Stress and Cortisol Levels during the COVID-19 Crisis

Lawyer Assistance Programs provide confidential services and support to judges, lawyers and law students who are facing substance use disorders or mental health issues. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, contact your state or local LAP.

I have published many articles about stress and wellness for lawyers. It is quite the popular topic because of the fact that stress is one of the legal profession’s worst hazards. Lawyers have a disproportionately high percentage of addiction and depression.

According to a study released at the 2016 ABA Midyear Meeting, more than 20 percent of lawyers have struggled with substance abuse or mental health problems. And stress can lead to weight gain and even obesity—in fact, more than 40 percent of the general population, including lawyers, were classified as obese, according to 2017-18 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So why is work-related stress so unhealthy?