Mindful Attorneys: How Practicing Mindfulness Can Benefit Your Legal Practice

by Darrin Pfannenstiel, J.D., M.Ed., LPC-A | Therapist - Men, Women, and Couples

Mindfulness has become an increasingly popular practice in recent years, with growing evidence supporting its benefits for mental and physical health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. As an attorney, the demands of our profession can be particularly challenging, and mindfulness can be a useful tool to help you manage stress, enhance our focus and concentration, and improve our communication and interpersonal skills. Here are some things we can do to benefit from mindfulness as an attorney, along with references to relevant research.

• Start with simple mindfulness exercises

If you're new to mindfulness, it can be helpful to start with some simple exercises to get started. You might try a basic mindfulness meditation, in which you focus on your breath and observe your thoughts without judgment. Research has shown that just a few minutes of mindfulness practice each day can have significant benefits for mental health and cognitive function (Zeidan et al., 2010).

• Take mindful breaks throughout the day

As an attorney, you may have a busy schedule, but it's important to take breaks throughout the day to give your mind a rest. Instead of checking your email or scrolling through social media during your breaks, try a brief mindfulness exercise. Research has shown that brief mindfulness exercises can improve cognitive function and decision-making abilities (Tang et al., 2009).

• Practice mindfulness during meetings and negotiations

Mindfulness can also be useful during meetings and negotiations, helping you stay present and focused on the discussion at hand. You might try using a mindfulness breath, which can serve as a reminder to pause and take a deep breath before responding to a question or comment. Research has shown that mindfulness can improve communication skills and emotional intelligence and help you respond in strategic ways that further your position (Garland et al., 2015).

• Find a therapist who uses Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or MBSR techniques.

Attending a mindfulness workshop or retreat can be a great way to deepen your practice and connect with others who are also interested in mindfulness. Research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can be effective in reducing stress and anxiety (Hoge et al., 2018).

• Use mindfulness to cultivate self-awareness.

Finally, mindfulness can be a useful tool for cultivating self-awareness, which is a key component of emotional intelligence. By observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment, you can develop a better understanding of yourself and your reactions to various situations. Research has shown that mindfulness can improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hoge et al., 2018).

Mindfulness can be a valuable tool for attorneys, helping to reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, enhance communication and interpersonal skills, and cultivate self-awareness. By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can enhance your well-being and improve your performance as an attorney.

At Eros Counseling, I specialize in helping men, women, and couples — especially fellow legal professionals — develop skills to overcome issues relating to stress and anxiety both at home and at work. Let me guide you through the process of learning to harness the energy that drives stress into the energy needed to manage it.

Ready to begin? Contact me today to schedule a 15 minute consultation. Starting your journey towards a happy and calmer life is just a click away!

Darrin Pfannenstiel is an attorney-turned-therapist serving men, women, and couples in the Dallas area and online. He has practiced Buddhist meditation and mindfulness for over 25 years — having formerly taught at a Buddhist center when he lived in Austin.

As a Gestalt therapist, Darrin works with clients to help them gain insights into their experiences and emotions — specializing in guiding them to discover their inner strengths and make positive changes in their lives. He also specializes in human sexuality and is trained in The Gottman Method for couples therapy.

As a writer, Darrin aims to share practical strategies and insights to help readers improve their mental health and live a fulfilling life.

Contact him today to request an appointment.