‘Twas the night before Christmas, the office was dead
But visions of billables danced in my head;
My time sheets had all been submitted with care,
In hopes that a bonus soon would appear;

The partners were nestled all snug in their beds,
But me, I was working so my kids could be fed;
And I at my desk with a caffeine IV,
Had just settled in to brief a Rule 12(b);

When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter,
I jumped from my chair to see what was the matter;
When what to my blood shot eyes should appear,
But the Uber Eats driver saying dinner was here;

His parka was dusted with frost and with snow,
As he handed me beef burritos from Moe’s;
And now here I was in the office alone,
Missing the joy and the wonder happening at home;

As the sadness set in, I started to think,
My nerves and capacity are at the brink;
My achy head pounded, my shoulders felt tight,
Was this really where I should be on this night;

When out in the hallway, I heard someone come near,
A soft, steady sound growing perfectly clear;
I turned from my desk with a faint sense of dread,
Expecting more work to land square on my head;

There in the doorway, a partner appeared,
A strong litigator who everyone feared;
What had I done now, what could possibly be wrong,
For that question to be answered, it didn’t take long;

He looked at my desk with a long heavy sigh,
Then shook his head slowly, as if to ask why;
“These pleadings can wait, nothing’s due overnight,
Go home to your family, they need you tonight;”

So I closed my computer and packed up my things,
Feeling lighter already at what kindness brings;
And I heard him exclaim as I walked out of sight,
“May your season be peaceful and your burdens be light.”

Ah, the holidays. A time of Black Friday deals and overspending. A time to see who can put the most blow-up Christmas figures on their lawn. A time to fit in all the holiday parties, decorate the house, host difficult family members, finish year-end tasks and billing, and do it all with a big smile on your face. I know that sounds very Grinchy. But you have to admit that there is some truth to this characterization. The poem above may feel exaggerated. For some lawyers, though, it is not that far from reality. 

The holidays have, for many, become a season of excess. And all that excess creates added stress to the already stressful lives of lawyers. So, this holiday season, I want to make a suggestion. Slow down. Take time for yourself and accept that you don’t have unlimited capacity and sometimes cannot get it all done in a manner that others expect. In advance of the onslaught of the holiday season, this is a time for all of us to pause and give ourselves a little grace.

I’m not saying that this will be easy. Even without the pressures of the holidays, the demands on our time and attention are relentless. People depend on us. In addition to volunteer commitments and responsibilities we might have as caregivers for children or elderly parents, we must also be responsive to often overwhelming work demands. We are expected to get it done now and get it done right. We have deadlines that must be met. We have hearings and closings that can’t be rescheduled.  

Many in the lawyer well-being movement have suggested that we meet these demands by becoming more resilient. This focus on resilience building is not a bad thing. There are some realities about the practice of law that simply cannot be avoided and require a certain level of resilience. 

But no matter how resilient we become, weariness and burnout can and often does set in. Our well of energy is not limitless. We all have a breaking point. We are all susceptible to burnout, depression, and fatigue. We are particularly vulnerable during the holiday season. If we don’t pause in the midst of what can sometimes seem like unmanageable chaos, we are going to crash. The crash can come in the form of physical illness, mental illness, addiction, or self-sabotage. To avoid this, we need to take time to recharge and take care of ourselves. If we don’t, no amount of resilience will prevent the collapse. And, when we crash, we are no longer able to serve the very people we were trying so desperately to help. 

During particularly busy times like the holidays, we need to prioritize our self-care. There is a reason they tell you before a flight to put your oxygen mask on first. But this idea of putting yourself first can feel self-indulgent. Just thinking about it might make some lawyers feel a tinge of guilt or uneasiness. After all, we are trained to help others. In law school, they don’t teach you how to take care of yourself. That is unfortunate. Many cases of burnout and fatigue could be avoided with some healthy boundaries and self-care. 

You may be wondering what it would even look like to pause and take care of yourself. It doesn’t necessarily require dramatic lifestyle changes. Many simple practices have been shown to interrupt the stress cycle, replenish mind and body, and reduce the risk of burnout. Here are a few suggestions to consider implementing before the blitz of the holidays begins. Each offers a practical and scientifically supported way to build healthy pauses in your busy days.

1. Take micro-breaks throughout the day

A 2022 meta-analysis found that micro-breaks significantly reduce fatigue and improve energy and performance. These tiny moments of rest interrupt cognitive overload and help prevent the slow buildup of exhaustion. Research suggests that office workers should get up and move for a few minutes at least once an hour to improve mood, increase energy, and sharpen focus. You don’t have to go on a five-mile walk. Just take a short stroll outside or down the hall.

2. Practice slow, intentional breathing

Controlled breathing has been shown to reduce stress within minutes. Even one minute of slow breathing lowers heart rate and physiological stress, providing a quick reset during demanding days. So, when you are out in traffic heading to the mall on your lunch hour to do some Christmas shopping, stop and take some long, controlled breaths to calm your nerves. And when you are in line behind the guy who is arguing with the salesclerk about his expired sale coupon, take a deep breath. 

3. Spend a few minutes in nature

We spend a lot of time in our offices. If your office is somewhere that you can get outside and into nature, take opportunities during your day for quick walks in nature. Research has shown that getting out in nature reduces symptoms of burnout.

4. Set boundaries around digital communication

After-hours email and constant digital availability can leave you feeling exhausted. Creating a no-email window in the evening, on weekends, or on vacation reduces strain and gives your mind space to recover. You might also consider turning off the notifications feature for your work email. Every time you get a ding from your email notification, your brain’s sympathetic nervous system is triggered, sending you into fight or flight response. Studies have shown that chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system is damaging to a person’s physical and mental health.

5. Engage in regular physical activity

Studies have found that regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of burnout and can increase vitality.

6. Don’t overdo it with giving

There is so much pressure around the holidays to buy more, more, more. It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that the perfect present will communicate love. But stretching your budget, your energy, or your sanity to “do enough” only adds to holiday stress. Overdoing it contributes to exhaustion and resentment. And the truth is we overestimate how much others value expensive or elaborate gifts. What people actually remember is our presence, warmth, and thoughtfulness and not the price tag.

7. Take multi-day vacations

Vacation research is clear. Extended time away increases well-being and reduces burnout. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that multi-day vacations reliably improve health and mood, with benefits lasting from 2–6 weeks. Studies also show that people who take regular vacations have lower depression risk, better sleep, and reduced cardiovascular strain. So, whether it is vacation time around the holidays or during other times of the year, make sure to take time off and recharge.

As holiday commitments accelerate and the pressure to juggle work, family, and festivities reaches its peak, remember that we all have limits. Even the most resilient among us can’t outrun exhaustion forever. Pausing, setting boundaries, and tending to your own well-being is not indulgent. It is essential.  So, as the season unfolds, give yourself permission to slow down, do less, and choose what truly matters. Replace the burrito in the office with a real meal shared with the people you love. Let this be the year you experience peace in the midst of chaos and offer yourself the grace you so readily extend to everyone else.