7 Steps to Release Law School Stress
After an intense round of law school finals, the internet may tell you to relax — maybe with a week-long spa getaway or a suggestion to take up a fancy new hobby. But for 1L, 2L, and 3L law students, time and budget restraints can make traditional "self-care" recommendations seem unrealistic and laughable.
Here’s a breakdown of common stress-relief advice paired with realistic ways to actually de-stress when you’re buried in case law and student loans.
Step 1: Engage in Physical Exercise
They say physical exercise is the best stress relief, so throw on your most inspiring athleisure gear and get out there! After all, there’s no better way to unwind than squeezing a 5-mile jog between endless study sessions and existential dread. And if running’s not your thing, yoga’s great, too — just a casual hour of downward dog in your already packed schedule while you ignore your looming student loans. Namaste!
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Exercise can be a powerful stress reliever, even for a busy law student. Physical activity boosts endorphins, those natural "feel-good" chemicals, and helps lower stress hormones including cortisol and adrenaline.1 To make it work within your schedule, try mini-sessions: a brisk walk around campus, 10 minutes of stretching, or a quick YouTube workout you can do at home. It’s not about a marathon session but adding movement in short, consistent bursts. Even small steps can enhance mental clarity, lift your mood, and support better sleep — essentials when facing the demands of law school.
Step 2: Get in Touch With Your Creative Side
Ahhhhhh, nothing soothes the stressed mind like embracing your inner artist. Go ahead, set aside a few hours to paint an abstract representation of your law school experience — something along the lines of a chaotic swirl of gray and black paint with the occasional splash of red (you know, for the blood, sweat, and tears you’re pouring into reaching your law school goals). Or maybe play a solo on the harmonica you were gifted but never actually learned to play. It’s all about the vibe, right?
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Taking a creative break is an effective way to manage stress, even if your masterpiece isn’t exactly gallery- or concert-ready. Studies show that creative activities such as painting, writing, or even doodling can help reduce stress by promoting mindfulness and providing a break from intense mental tasks.2,3 For busy law students, fitting creativity into your routine could mean keeping a sketchpad handy or taking 5 minutes to jot down thoughts in a journal. The goal isn’t perfection but the act of focusing on something entirely unrelated to your studies, which can be a refreshing mental reset.
Step 3: Make Time for Self-Care
There’s no better way to curb law school stress than self-care with hour-long bubble baths, aromatherapy sessions, or 8+ hours of sleep — ah yes, the classics. What better way to forget that you’ve barely slept in weeks than to treat yourself to a full 6 hours tonight? Go all out — dim the lights, put on a face mask, and light a lavender-scented candle. After all, there’s nothing like a little eucalyptus oil to fully erase the memory of this semester’s torts exam.
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Self-care isn’t just about pampering. Even simple relaxation techniques can help reduce stress levels. Research suggests that short warm baths, calming scents, or unplugging from your phone and social media can trigger the body’s relaxation response, lowering cortisol levels and tension.4 For law students with limited time, keep it simple: Try a short, guided breathing exercise with a host of popular apps, or unwind with a hot shower and some calming music. Small acts of self-care don’t need to be elaborate to be effective. They just need to be intentional, giving your body and mind a break from high-stress demands.
Step 4: Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Practice mindfulness and meditation. Just take a deep breath and let it all go. Picture yourself in a state of pure tranquility — not endlessly ruminating on that one obscure question you missed in the Property or Criminal Procedure exam. And if your meditation ends up being 45 minutes of half-heartedly lying on the floor, remember, it’s all part of the process.
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Mindfulness and meditation can be powerful tools for stress relief, even if you only have a few minutes to spare. Practicing mindfulness helps lower stress hormones and increases your awareness, allowing you to handle stressful situations more calmly.6 Start with a short breathing exercise: Sit quietly, breathe in deeply, and let your mind settle on the rhythm of your breath. Some apps offer quick, guided sessions perfect for a busy law student schedule. Even a 5-minute practice can help you regain focus and mentally reset after hours of intense studying.
Step 5: Process Your Thoughts and Feelings With Journaling
If processing your thoughts and feelings are your thing, grab a notebook and start pouring it all out. Just imagine how therapeutic it’ll be to fill pages with reflections like “How much do hand models make?” and “Is this going to be the rest of my life?” By the end, you’ll have a journal full of profoundly probing questions that you’ll absolutely not have any answers to and can laugh at later.
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Journaling offers a practical, proven way to reduce stress by helping you process and clarify your thoughts.7 Studies show that writing about your feelings can lower anxiety and provide an emotional outlet.8 For law students, keeping it simple can make it manageable. Try drafting a quick gratitude list at the end of each day or jotting down thoughts when you feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be daily, either. A few weekly sessions can offer perspective and help with stress management, even if you’re only recording random thoughts.
Step 6: Spend Quality Time With Your Friends and Family
Go ahead … reconnect with loved ones! They’ve missed you. Or at least, they’re pretty sure you still exist. Sure, you may spend the whole evening blankly staring off into the distance and half-answering their questions about “how finals went,” but at least they’ll get to say they saw you. Quality time is all about proximity, right?
Realistically Put This Into Practice: Social support is a major stress buffer, and connecting with friends or family can actually help lower cortisol levels and improve mood.9,10 For law students short on time, try brief but intentional moments: a quick coffee with a friend, a phone call on a study break, or a shared meal at home. Just a little face time with people who understand and support you can go a long way in helping you decompress. Plus, their outside perspective will remind you there’s a world beyond finals.
Step 7: Plan a Fun and Care-Free Getaway
So you’re stressed … you know what you need? A carefree trip to take your worries (and law school responsibilities) off your mind! If a beach vacation sounds ideal, but you’re low on cash and time because you’re in law school, why not try an exotic day trip to — your living room? Add a splash of excitement by watching a travel documentary on Greece or Thailand. Close your eyes, turn on a fan for that ocean breeze effect, and picture yourself elsewhere. It’s practically the same thing as being there, minus the airfare!
Realistically, Put This Into Practice: While a full-blown vacation may be out of reach, even a tiny change of scenery can reduce stress and recharge your mind. Research shows that planning a trip, or even a simple day trip to a local park or nearby town, can boost mood and mental clarity. As a law student, you might only have a weekend afternoon to spare, so use it wisely. Explore a new spot in your city, or create an at-home “vacation” setup. Whether it’s a day at the park or a quiet night with the aforementioned travel documentary, just breaking your routine can help you return to your studies feeling refreshed.
But Truly … It’s Important to De-Stress After Law School Finals
While the self-care clichés may seem laughable during law school, taking time to unwind after finals is genuinely important. Prioritizing mental wellness doesn’t have to mean spa days or silent retreats. Even small, realistic steps can make a difference. De-stressing helps lower cortisol levels, supports better sleep, and allows your mind and body to recover from the strain of finals.11
Establishing even a modest stress-management practice now will help you stay resilient through law school and beyond. Remember, taking a break isn’t just for your sanity — it’s essential for your success.
References
- Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). Exercising to relax. Harvard Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
- MQ Mental Health. (2024, April 15). The art of destressing: How creativity creates less stress. MQ Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/the-art-of-destressing-how-creativity-creates-less-stress/
- Community Health Network. (n.d.). What activities are good for mental health? MyCHN. Retrieved from https://mychn.org/what-activates-are-good-for-mental-health/
- Sleep Foundation. (2024, February 29). Benefits of sleep. Sleep Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/benefits-of-sleep
- Healthline. (n.d.). 12 benefits of meditation. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation#kindness
- Davis, D. M., & Hayes, J. A. (2012). What are the benefits of mindfulness? Monitor on Psychology, 43(7), 64. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner
- Newman, K. M. (2020, August 18). How journaling can help you in hard times. Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_journaling_can_help_you_in_hard_times
- Intermountain Healthcare. (2023, April 17). How journaling can relieve stress. Intermountain Healthcare Blog. Retrieved from https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/how-journaling-can-relieve-stress
- HelpGuide. (n.d.). Social support for stress relief. HelpGuide. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/social-support-for-stress-relief
- HelpGuide. (n.d.). Social support for stress relief. HelpGuide. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/social-support-for-stress-relief
- Top Law Schools. (n.d.). Self-care in the first year. Top-Law-Schools.com. Retrieved from https://www.top-law-schools.com/self-care-in-first-year.html
