October 13, 2026
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Litigation partner and Chief Wellness Officer Lori Pines authored an article for the New York Law Journal titled, “The S.L.O.W. Sunday: A Weekly Reset for Legal Professionals That Can Help Set Up a Better Week.”
In the article, Lori addresses the anxiety many legal professionals experience as the weekend draws to a close, commonly known as the “Sunday scaries,” and encourages them to rethink how they spend their Sundays to better prepare for the week ahead.
“Try not to let Sunday devolve into the day you spend dreading Monday,” Lori wrote. “When possible, use it deliberately to set yourself up for a better week by having a S.L.O.W. Sunday: a day for Self-care, Leisure, Outreach and a bit of Work.”
Lori explains that incorporating these four elements into a Sunday routine can help make the day more restorative and the following week a little easier. She encourages legal professionals to prioritize their physical and mental well-being, make time for activities they enjoy and strengthen connections with family and friends, noting that these relationships can be particularly difficult to maintain during a busy workweek.
While taking time away from work is important, Lori also suggests that a limited amount of purposeful preparation, such as reviewing an upcoming calendar or identifying key priorities, can help reduce Monday-morning friction without sacrificing the restorative benefits of the weekend.
Ultimately, Lori reminds legal professionals that protecting their mental health does not always require major changes, but can begin with small, intentional adjustments to everyday routines. “We should not wait until we are overwhelmed or struggling to pay attention to our health,” she wrote.
To read the entire article, please click here.