Since it opened, the St. Thomas School of Law has focused on the education of the ‘whole person.’ Faculty and staff work to foster an environment where each student feels connected, supported and part of the school’s community. This whole-person approach also includes placing an emphasis on the importance of wellness. St. Thomas Law has long had an active Wellness in Practice student organization and provided resources for students through the school’s Director of Academic Achievement Scott Swanson and the university’s Center for Well-Being. In 2019, St. Thomas Law was one of the first law schools in the country to sign the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge.
Luke Corey speaks to law students, faculty and staff about health and wellness in 2019. Photo by Carrie Hilger.
It also formed a collaborative relationship with Mayo Clinic
Sports Performance to advance the school’s commitment to and culture of wellness. Mayo Clinic Sports Performance, a world leader in integrated performance training and nutrition for amateur, elite and professional athletes, offers law students, faculty and staff opportunities, on campus and at its downtown facility, to learn and form healthy habits through its four pillars of mindset/ mental health, nutrition, movement and recovery/resilience.
A healthy diet starts by eating regularly. Your brain needs fuel and glucose helps it to work at its best. Eating regularly during the day helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Stable blood sugar levels help to stave off any crashes in mental acuity and have been linked to academic success. Eating enough healthy fat is another way to fight stress and improve mental performance. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like pistachios, walnuts, almonds and fatty fish like salmon are associated with improved brain function, and deficiencies in Omega-3 fatty acids can result in increased risk of depression and anxiety. Finally, crunching raw vegetables like celery or carrots can alleviate stress. The vitamins and minerals can neutralize the harmful molecules produced when your body is under stress and the act of munching on the raw veggies is also a way to release a clenched jaw and ward off tension. Given the statistics surrounding health and lawyers, it is clear that the ability to manage stress is vital to maintaining a high quality of life, both personally and professionally. Further, forming healthy skills and habits regarding stress will allow you to better serve clients and sustain a productive and healthy career in law.
Summer 2021 Page 19
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