The last two ways to take a mental vacation, according to Sally Connolly, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville, is listening to relaxing music and taking a walk. For music, there are many options available online through various streaming services and on record or CD. Connolly recommends looking for music that includes the sounds of rolling waves, gentle rain or chirping birds. Closing your eyes and doing some deep breathing while listening will enhance the experience. Ready to get outside? A short walk in the morning or during a lunch break is also a great way to relieve stress. When possible, walk along a trail or in a peaceful place for even more relaxing moments. Connolly's final advice: try to incorporate one of the six mental vacations she suggests every day to train your body to relax and reduce stress.

Ready to take another mental vacation this week? According to Sally Connolly, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville, a great way to take a break is to look out the window, focusing on something other than what is causing stress. Just close your door and take a few minutes to watch people, birds or clouds pass by. Allowing yourself to daydream for a short time can be a valuable distraction!

Ready to take another mental vacation this week? According to Sally Connolly, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville, a great way to take a break is to look back at photographs from a happy time. She suggests photos from family vacations, a fun dinner with friends, another endearing activity or a memorable adventure. Reflect on what made that moment so enjoyable and reflect on your unique memories. You can relive these special moments and find yourself more relaxed after spending a few quiet moments reminiscing.

Did you read a book in a peaceful spot last week? If reading is not your thing, another way to take a mental vacation, according to Sally Connolly, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville, is to visualize relaxation. Though this might sound daunting, it’s pretty easy. Take a few moments to close your eyes and visualize an image or place that relaxes you (i.e., sound of ocean waves, country field filled with beautiful flowers, a gurgling brook). Think back to a time when you felt relaxed and peaceful, and once you “are there,” try to release the tension from your head to your toes. By visualizing a stress-free place, you can mentally return to that place and help your body relax.

Even if you don’t have the time or money to just get away from it all, you can reduce your stress by taking a “mental vacation.” Nothing special is required. You can unwind every day in simple ways and for short periods of time and still derive major benefits. Over the next few weeks we will look at six ideas for taking a mental vacation. Sally Connolly, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville, recommends adding these stress relievers to your everyday routine. Her first idea? Read a book in a cozy and peaceful spot. This is a great escape, she says, and can leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Getting lost in a good book is a wonderful way to forget what is swirling around our heads and refocus our thoughts. Give it a try this week!

This month’s "Older & Wiser" column in the Tennessee Bar Journal looks at how lawyers can recognize and address dementia in their clients. Matt and Kelly Frere, with the elder law firm of Guyton & Frere, first warn about jumping to conclusions. Conditions, such as “acquired” cognitive deficits, can mimic the symptoms of dementia. Allergies, high blood pressure, diabetes, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, sleep apnea, certain drugs and even high cholesterol can also contribute to behavior that might look like dementia. The correct diagnosis, they write, “will not only assist you in whatever business and/or estate planning you may be doing for the client, but may also determine your client’s eligibility for certain government benefits.” If clients are suffering from a dementia disease, the pair say lawyers can protect their clients' interests (even if they have diminished mental capacity) and can be the difference between a future of quality care and a financial crisis.

Many law firms and other legal employers know they should be watching for signs that an employee is experiencing impairment due to a substance use disorder, mental health disorder or cognitive impairment, but many still struggle with how best to respond. A new resource from the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and the ABA Working Group to Advance Well-Being in the Legal Profession offers suggested guidelines for these situations. The “Well-Being Template for Legal Employers” is available for download and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any legal workplace.

When temperatures drop this fall, getting outside can be great way to relieve stress. Check out your local parks department or community center for nature-inspired outings such as bird watching or dendrology (the study of plants and trees). Movement is also important, so as the weather cooperates, take your excising out of doors with hikes, bike rides or a friendly game of tennis.

September is Self–Care Awareness Month and a great time to remember that we need to take care of ourselves. Self-care is often neglected in our everyday lives as we all tend to put others’ needs before our own. It is also easy to think of self-care as being self-centered or selfish but that is not the case. Self-care is really about paying attention to how we feel in each moment, communicating clearly and speaking up for ourselves. Not sure how to get started? Psychology Today offers 12 tips for self-care. Check out the ideas here.