The Atlanta Lawyer April 2020 | Page 31

IN THE COMMUNITY Coping During COVID-19 The outbreak of COVID-19 and the constant swirl of information (and misinformation) has led to the largest public health crisis in the last 100 years. The unfamiliarity of this virus and its symptoms, coupled with the exponential spread has led to emotional distress across the country, and in our own social and professional groups. Remebering to look at current situations from a wellness, health perspective. With over 45,000 deaths in the United States alone, COVID-19 has likely affected someone you know. Even if you have not been personally touched by this virus, all of us have felt the distress of the economic uncertainty, the anxiety of possibly losing a loved one, caring for children while working at home, or even simply mourning our lost social connections. In these times, we need to develop tools to save our sanity, focus on wellness, and learn how to adapt to settle into this “new normal”. While we have all felt the impact of COVID-19 in various ways, we must first acknowledge that the legal industry has remained resilient during this crisis. Attorneys and legal services are considered essential - at least here in Georgia - and many lawyers have been able to continue their work without interruptions from home. However, many have been left furloughed or with hours cut. This has created a ripple effect across our industry with summer associate programs being canceled and even the bar exam being rescheduled. Fortunately, our legal community has stepped up to the plate in terms of giving back to the communities they serve. In just a few months Georgia lawyers have raised thousands of dollars for those in need and donated food, masks, and other essential goods. There are many resources that provide information on how to deal with the emotional strain of COVID-19. The CDC has promulgated coping tips, including the following: • • • • • • • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. MATTHEW HOLLINGSWORTH Hollingsworth Injury Law, LLC [email protected] • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Some of these tips seem elementary or obvious, but wellness should remain a top- of-mind priority. These tips can also be implemented in your professional life to maintain connections and work remotely, while still furthering your practice. An important tip our firm has learned through this crisis is to over-communicate with your team. You don't have to write an essay for your daily to-do list but let people know what you are working on to keep yourself accountable. It is also important to collaborate when possible- there are so many ways we can do this when working remotely. Look into Zoom, FaceTime, Slack, or G-chat. We have too many tools to be our own island. For those working from home, boundaries are crucial to mental and physical wellbeing. Not having limits can create undue stress because it can be hard to separate work from pleasure. Set hours for yourself and, if possible, identify a dedicated workspace. It will make a difference in productivity and focus, and can help eliminate the feeling of guilt at the end. After months of preparation - perhaps in the worst of times - I hung my shingle and started Hollingsworth Injury Law in the beginning of March. I have dealt with many bouts of sleepless nights, anxiety ridden evenings, and feelings of regret but with the support of family, friends, and colleagues, I’ve not just gotten through but grown personally and professionally. I have reached out to friends I have not spoken to in years; I have played trivia over Zoom with in-laws; and I have focused on streamlining my practice for the future. We all have support systems somewhere that we need to reconnect with, for our sake and theirs. And if you do not, connect with me, a colleague, or reach out to the Atlanta Bar Wellness Committee for help. We are all in this together. www.atlantabar.org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 31