In the legal profession, maintaining clear boundaries between work life and professional life is crucial not only for sustaining mental and physical wellbeing but also for professional success.
In recent years, smartphones have become essential to the operation of modern workplaces, allowing ease of communication and increased productivity.
However, this ability to be contactable at all times can present a significant challenge when it comes to upholding such boundaries.
The expectation to be available at all times can contribute to increased feelings of overwhelm, work-related stress and even burnout.
Work from home arrangements can further exacerbate this issue, impacting our ability to physically separate our work space from our home space.
When used intentionally, however, our smartphones can provide valuable tools for improving our health and wellbeing.
This article details some of the popular mobile apps and podcasts that offer valuable resources for improving and maintaining your mental and physical wellbeing.
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a not-for-profit organisation that offers an evidence-based program focused on improving your mental fitness.
Of note is the Business Mental Fitness Collection targeted at business owners, leaders and employees. The collection aims to improve stress management skills, mindfulness, focus and work-life boundaries. The Smiling Mind app provides free access to all content.
Insight Timer
Insight Timer is a meditation app that offers thousands of guided meditations, breathing exercises, courses, music and podcasts.
It also offers a ‘For Work’ category which includes guided meditations specifically for mornings, commutes, quick breaks, meetings, focus and unwinding. Insight Timer offers a lot of free content, however, most courses and more lengthy content is available only to those that purchase a subscription.
Calm
Similar to Insight Timer, Calm offers guided meditations, mindfulness exercises and exercises for improvement of sleep hygiene and quality including sleep stories read by different celebrities. The app is free and some content is offered in the free version, however, most content is locked for premium users.
Keep it Cleaner
Keep it Cleaner offers more than 1000 workouts including Pilates, strength routines, and running programs suitable for all fitness levels.
Keep it Cleaner also offers hundreds of healthy recipes, with budget friendly options and meal plans tailored to your personal preferences, perfect for busy professionals looking to take the guess work out of the weekly grocery shop.
The Resilience Project
The Resilience Project app is perfect for understanding ourselves better and becoming more present in our lives. It is a daily wellbeing journal that prompts users to identify emotions, practice gratitude and engage in mindfulness. It also offers programs targeted for school-age children in addition to programs for adults. The app costs $4.99, with no subscription required.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
On Purpose is the world’s number one mental health podcast. Jay is a former Hindu monk turned podcast host. Jay interviews experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes and discusses all things mental health. Jay’s goal is to help you become happier, healthier and more healed.
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Mel Robbins is a podcast host and author. The Mel Robbins podcast provides inspiration and valuable, science-backed tools to help improve your mindset, your relationships, and overall happiness. Her latest book The Let Them Theory is a step-by-step guide on how to stop letting other people’s opinions, drama and judgment impact your life. It is the most successful non-fiction book launch in history, with over 1.2 million copies sold within the first month of release.
Work Life with Adam Grant
Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist. His podcast is aimed at improving your experience of work. Adam invites guests onto his show to discuss topics like how to better receive negative feedback, how to cultivate a positive culture in the workplace, and hustle culture.
A Bit of Optimism
Simon Sinek hosts guests from all different walks of life and facilitates inspirational conversations about love, life and leadership. His goal is to inspire and provide his listeners with a few things to be optimistic about. His book Start With Why: How great leaders inspire action was first published in 2009 and continues to be a best seller on leadership. He explains the importance of identifying the purpose behind our actions.
A Life of Greatness
Sarah Grynberg is a keynote speaker and mindset coach. On her top-rated podcast she speaks with a wide-array of inspiring guests discussing all aspects of self-improvement including work life, romantic and platonic relationships, and mental health and wellbeing. Through these conversations you can learn simple habits and strategies to help you live a life of greatness.
The legal profession is undeniably demanding. As such, prioritising mental wellbeing and maintaining clear boundaries between work life and personal life is crucial for long-term success.
The variety of health and wellness apps and podcasts so easily accessible on our smartphones are valuable tools. By incorporating these into our daily routines, legal professionals can create healthier work habits, reduce stress and burnout, and improve overall wellbeing.
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