Issue #82 July 2024
Helping lawyers, judges, law students, & law graduates
create harmony in their lives.
"Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete;
it's a sense of harmony."
- Joshua Osenga
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Summer Down the Shore
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Balance E-Newsletter is issued
monthly by the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program, the free and
confidential resource supporting professional and personal
well-being for all New Jersey Lawyers, Judges, Law Students & Law
Graduates.
800-246-5527 • www.NJLAP.org • Info@NJLAP.org
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 This Month in Balance |
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 Notes from Nancy
July starts the season of "going down the shore," outdoor
barbecues, and extra sunshine to boost your mood (don't forget the
sunscreen!) Balance would love to hear from you about your well-being
habits, especially in the "lazy, hazy, crazy, days of summer!" See
below.
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 Reflections, Notes, Article Links
Is Psychotherapy for You?
Are you:
Avoiding social interaction or having trouble in relationships; having
trouble sleeping; performing worse at school or work; facing addictions
or eating disorders; suffering from depression, anxiety, hopelessness,
or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); having thoughts of hurting
yourself or others
Not everyone needs psychotherapy, but anyone can benefit greatly from
psychotherapy. Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Substance Misuse are
highly treatable and can be overcome with proper treatment.
Psychotherapy and counseling are “talk therapies,” in contrast to
psychiatric treatment, which involves medication. The days of the
Freudian couch, for the most part, are a thing of the past. The couch
has been moved to the offices of the psychotherapist and counselor.
Psychiatrists today are psycho-pharmacologists and prescribe a myriad of
medications when psychotherapy and counseling are not sufficient. The
best outcomes according to the medical literature, for some people, are a
combination of medication and “talk therapies.”
Psychotherapy and counseling attempt to get at the root causes of an
individual’s stressors. These may be family of origin issues or past
traumatic experiences. Psychiatry and medication address neuro-biology
and the imbalance of chemical processes in the brain. A comprehensive
evaluation provides the best clues as to where the main problem lies.
Stress, for example, is a situation where coping resources
(psychological, social, environmental and physical) are challenged, and
coping attempts are not sufficient to contend with overwhelming demands
upon the human organism. The individual feels confused, depressed,
anxious, and paralyzed in daily functioning.
The famous psychiatrist, Carl Jung, asked the question, “How do you find
the lion that has swallowed you?” Where do you look? How do you find
your way out? Think of the see-saw metaphor. On one side you have the
resources mentioned above. On the other end of the see-saw you have
challenges and assaults on those resources. The body and mind seek
equilibrium, or the state of homeostasis and balance. All mind-body
processes work in this way. The resulting consequences on psychological
health, family and friends, and work related activities cause the person
to doubt their confidence, competence, and ability to manage challenges
in order to control their daily lives. Without professional help,
well-being, life balance and equilibrium cannot be restored. With
professional help one can gain insight into personal stressors and
triggers. Resilience becomes the goal.
The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program for 30 years has assisted
lawyers, judges, law students and law graduates with these
all-too-common problems. We provide confidential, free screenings for
mental health and substance use issues. Our vision is: Never again will a
lawyer, judge, law student or law graduate have to say, “There was
nowhere to turn.” Turn to NJLAP. Call us at 1-800-246 5527
Ray Ortiz, Esq., NJLAP Senior Attorney Counselor
5 Ways to Support Your Personal Resilience
People
who deal best with times of high stress are often described as having
high personal resilience. But resilience can be worn down, leaving us
vulnerable to stress-related mental issues and physical issues. So,
during difficult times, it is necessary to continue practicing
well-being habits and techniques that support resilience.
- Mindfulness:
Too often our mind is spending time thinking about the past or the
future, and not enough time being in the present. During times of high
stress, stop, close your eyes, take several deep breaths and focus your
attention on where you are, and what you are doing, right this minute.
- Gratitude:
There are days so difficult, that at night, you may only be grateful
the day is over. However, spending a few minutes each day to find at
least three things to be grateful about truly helps enhance well-being.
- Purpose:
A clear sense of your purpose, or mission, in life contributes to both
contentment with life and longevity. Even when events or
responsibilities keep you from what gives you that sense of purpose,
having that clear vision gives you strength to get through tough
situations.
- Laughter:
A social bonding skill that may have existed in humans before language,
laughter benefits both the body and the mind. During stressful times,
your “laughter reserve” helps your well-being, and the return of
laughter signals healing and resilience.
- Happiness: The
first four habits listed here contribute to your overall well-being,
and emphasize the fact that you should not expect that happiness just
“happens” to you. Times of joy, love, fulfillment and generosity all
raise our happiness levels. Seeking those things, even in times of
distress, keeps your resilience strong.
Noreen Braman, CLWI, NJLAP Communications Manager
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 Reruns of Balance • Yesterday & Yesteryear
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Recovery
Corner was a column submitted each newsletter by an attendee from
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, to support and encourage.
We'd like to continue this practice.
If you are interested in writing a Recovery Corner article,
please email info@njlap.org
Recovery Corner
Words of Encouragement and Thought Provocation
for our Colleagues and Friends in Recovery
Dealing with Challenges, A Definition of Success
In her book Comfortable with Uncertainty,
American born Buddhist nun Pema Chodron presents three
commitments for dealing with painful emotions, fear, addiction and
life’s other challenges.
The Commitments are:
Never cause harm to ourselves or others
Help others when we can
Acceptance
In his poem Success, Ralph Waldo Emerson considers living a successful life.
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
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Ask NJLAP
Next
month we are introducing a new feature, "Ask NJLAP." If you have a
question about NJLAP, Lawyer Well-Being, NJLAP Services,
Confidentiality, etc. Use the link below to send your questions to: info@njlap.org Names of those who submit questions will be kept confidential.
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 Law Student Corner
NJLAP invites you to tell us about your law school journey
It
can range from short comments, tips and tricks, ongoing journal entries
as you travel through law school, and humor is especially welcome. (See
the reframing article also in this issue)
Please Use this link to contact us. We
respect your privacy and your writings will be identified by your law
school name, and choice of full name or your just your first name – or
even simply “A New Jersey Law Student.”
Law School Associations - We Want to Hear From You!
Are
you a part of a special affinity association at a New Jersey Law
School? NJLAP would love to hear from you. Promote your association
here, and help us get the word out about NJLAP to your membership. It is
a win-win! Use this link to contact us, and don't forget to mention what law school you are from, and the name of your group!
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 Guest Columnist
Guest Columnists Wanted!
NJLAP
is always looking for stories from NJ Lawyers and Judges. Career
advice,or personal well being stories. If you are interested in telling
your lawyer story, please contact us here.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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 In Focus this Month
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July
contains some summer fun observances, as well as recognition of serious
social issues as well as mental and physical health issues, including:
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and Social Wellness Month,
Your well-being is our concern. Our services are free and confidential.
You can reach us at 800-246-5527 or email us at info@njlap.org
If you are experiencing a mental or physical health emergency, call 9-1-1.
OTHER IMPORTANT AND FUN OBSERVANCES
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN DURING JULY
- Cell Phone Courtesy Month
- National Anti-Boredom Month
- National Grilling Month
- National Parks and Recreation Month
- National Picnic Month
- Family Golf Month
- National Family Reunion Month
- National Make a Difference to Children Month
- National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month*
- International Alopecia Month for Women
- National Vacation Rental Month
- Sarcoma Awareness Month
- Social Wellness Month*
- Women's Motorcycle Month
- Worldwide Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
- Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
- National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
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