Why You Feel Like You Can Never Turn Your Brain Off as a Lawyer

Lawyers often describe feeling like they can never fully turn their brains off. Even during downtime, there’s a sense of waiting for the next email, the next call, or the next fire to put out. It’s not simply overthinking. It’s the body staying on alert, a nervous system trained to expect that something could go wrong at any time. Sarah explains why this constant state of vigilance makes sense, why it’s not a personal failing, and what it means for lawyers trying to find relief from the pressure. Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana See show notes at formerlawyer.com/286