This discussion group, moderated by Professor Joan MacLeod Heminway, focused on maintaining physical well-being among law faculty. The session brought together discussants from various law schools to explore challenges and strategies for improving physical wellness in academic legal careers.
The group explored whether law faculty should develop a wellness manifesto, drawing on research from books like “Spark” by John Ratey (highlighting cognitive benefits of exercise) and “The Runner’s Brain” by Jeff Brown. Participants examined how crisis situations can serve as motivation for wellness changes and discussed the critical role of sleep and physical rest.
Discussants shared numerous approaches for maintaining physical well-being:
- Self-assessment techniques and scheduled physical activities (like calendared walking)
- Accountability systems and conscious avoidance of multitasking
- Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time
- Technology aids, including fitness apps (Athlytic, Gentler Streak, Peloton), focus apps (Focus, Session), time tracking (Toggl), and distraction blockers (Brick)
- Hotel fitness kits and timer-based activities
- Personal goal-setting strategies
The group addressed systemic issues within legal academia, including cultural norms that prioritize overwork in pursuit of tenure and promotion, leading to self-care deprioritization. They discussed the importance of reframing conversations about work-life balance among colleagues and students.
Participants explored how to incorporate wellness concepts into teaching, including having students track work and rest time for professional responsibility courses and teaching time management skills. The discussion covered both classroom integration and external wellness programming.
The session concluded with proposals for broader institutional change, including potential SEALS programming for 2026 focused on “Moving Toward a Healthier Law Faculty” and possible AALS discussion groups addressing balance during pre-tenure years.
Monday, July 28, 2025, from 3:30-6pm