Benchmark Institute is a training and performance development
organization dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of
legal services to low-income communities.
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Benchmark's
Stress & Substance Abuse Busters |
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Managing stress and avoiding burnout and
substance abuse are important competencies to develop as part of legal
services and other public interest practice. Too many cases, overwhelming
deadlines, needy clients and compassion fatigue are among the familiar
stressors. All of us —no matter what our job title — need to learn and
practice prevention strategies. Paralegals, support staff — especially
support staff — those who bear the brunt of everyone else's stress —
need to become even more resilient and stress hardy
We offer these stress and substance abuse
busters: • MCLE Guide: offerings of major CLE
providers in California, most of which qualify for credit in the states
that require or allow credit for substance abuse
• Readings: articles that discuss the
sources of stress or substance abuse and ways to deal with them
• Video & Audio: useful how to
information, guided exercises that can be purchased in video or audio
• Exercises & Practices — things you
actually can do at or near your desk
to change your perspective, self-awareness,
productivity, work level and life satisfaction.
As always, please send us
your suggestions and submissions.
MCLE Guide
Of the Forty states that require attorneys to
complete continuing educational credits, only
California
and Ohio require time on substance abuse/emotional
distress. Arizona,
Florida,
Ohio,
Pennsylvania,
Tennessee,
and West Virginia allow substance abuse
credits to be taken to fulfill a professional responsibility,
professionalism or law office management requirement.
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MCLE
Guide
Substance Abuse
Audio
& Video
Stress
Exercises
& Practices
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Substance
Abuse
Drug & Alcohol Abuse & Addiction in
the Legal Profession – Article on alcoholism and drug abuse among
lawyers. Legal Profession Assistance Conference.
1.0 Hour MCLE Self Study provided through Benchmark Institute.
California IOLTA programs: Free; Other Nonprofits: $10; Private bar: $20
http://www.rushconsulting.com/benchmark/mcle/substance-abuse.htm
Alcohol Problems: Signs, Symptoms,
Stigmas and Solutions
1.0 Hour MCLE Self Study provided through Benchmark Institute.
California IOLTA programs: Free; Other Nonprofits: $10; Private bar: $20
http://www.rushconsulting.com/benchmark/mcle/alcohol_problems.htm
Help for Addicted Attorneys
Article on how and where substance-abusing or emotionally distressed
attorneys can get help. California Lawyer January 2002 1.0 Hour MCLE;
Self Study http://www.dailyjournal.com.
Click on California Lawyer, January 2002 issue. $25.00
Substance Abuse from the Judge's
Perspective One judge's tale of
recovery; reasons for addiction, detecting problems, getting help and
what to do about substance abusing judge. Judge Peggy Hora, Moderator,
Judge George Orndoff. 11/96; 1.0 Hour; Rutter Group
Video $95; Audio $80; http://www.ruttergroup.com/sabuse.htm#item1
Online $35; http://nt.rutteronline.com/new/seminars.cfm
Marathon $90 http://www.ruttergroup.com/mcle2002.htm#clecredit
Audio & Video
Stress
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Relax — You May Have A Few
Minutes Left: Using the Power of Humor to Overcome Stress in
Your Life and Work In this audio abridgement of her book,
Loretta LaRoche shows us how to live longer, happier lives using
the healing power of humor; filled with practical exercises to
deal with stress. Loretta — who also did a lecture series on
PBS — is a faculty member of the Mind/Body Medical Institute
affiliated with Harvard Medical School. 3 Hour Audio Tapes.
$18.00
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=62-0375403485-0#more
No MCLE credit, just
helpful. |
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Exercises
& Practices
Here are some exercises to help
you to catch your breath and calm your mind.
We suggest that you integrate at least one exercise into your work
schedule and use it everyday. According to the experts, it takes at
least 21 consecutive days of new behavior to establish a new habit or
overcome an old one.
What are you waiting for? Stop talking about how stressed you are and do
something about out!
Send us your favorite
stress busters and we'll add them to the list. |
| The
Ten Breaths Practice |
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Click
here for audio |
Sit comfortably erect with your feet flat
on the ground. The feet are about 10 to 12 inches apart. Fold your hands
softly in your lap with the palms up or place them palms down on your
knees. Find a position where your back and neck are aligned and
comfortably straight. This position will feel stable and balanced.
Slowly close your eyes. Allow your jaws to relax and your mouth to open
slightly.
Once you have fully settled into this position, take several deep,
comfortable, rhythmic breaths. Inhale and exhale through both the nose
and mouth. Bring your attention into this present moment and your body.
Slowly scan your body and feel any areas-jaws, neck, shoulders, stomach,
back — where tension, stress or stiffness is present. Allow each area
to relax and let go of any sense of stress with each breath.
Now focus your attention in a relaxed but concentrated way on your
breath. Observe and feel each in-breath. Observe and feel each
out-breath. If your attention shifts to sound, bodily sensation or state
of mind, notice the shift and how it feels without resistance, struggle,
or judgment. Then gently return your attention to the breath. Repeat
this process ten times.
When you're done, gently open your eyes. Notice how you're feeling right
now, in this moment. Take a few moments to assess what needs to be
attended to, if anything, to maintain or restore your inner balance and
engage the rest of your day.
From Dennis M. Warren, "Justice Frankfurter and the Laws of Stress
and Performance" The Solo and Small Firm Practitioner Spring
1997 (State Bar of California Solo and Small Firm Practice Section)Contact
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