Delhi High Court Judge highlighted the power of humor for mental well-being at the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum event on managing stress in the legal profession.
New Delhi: On Friday, an enlightening session held by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum, Justice Anup J Bhambhani shared invaluable insights into maintaining mental well-being amidst the hardship of legal practice.
The event, themed
“the art of happiness: healing from stresses as a legal professional,”
Provided a platform for legal professionals to explore strategies for managing stress and bring up a positive work environment. Justice Bhambhani’s address underscored the significance of humor and light-heartedness in the legal profession, a field often marred by high stress and emotional strain.
The gathering also benefited from the wisdom of former high court judge Justice Poonam A Bamba and the expertise of Dr. Achal Bhagat, a senior consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Hospitals. Their contributions further enriched the discourse on mental health within the legal community.
Justice Bhambhani, with his keen understanding, urged his colleagues in the legal fraternity to adopt a more relaxed approach to their work and interpersonal interactions within the courtroom.
“You are not to be frivolous, of course. We are professionals. But if you take yourself too seriously or even the judge too seriously, it becomes too heavy a burden to carry,”
– he remarked.
This advice comes at a crucial time when the legal profession is increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health and well-being.
Highlighting the pervasive negativity that legal professionals often encounter, Justice Bhambhani stressed the therapeutic value of humor.
“We are surrounded by negativity. That is the environment in which people meet us. They are distressed. So, it is important to have a sense of humour in everything that happens. When the judge lambasts you or you get a bizarre ruling, you can scream and cry but you can also take it differently. Just keep the thing light. I am reminded of the phrase — This too shall pass,”
-he elaborated.
This perspective not only serves as a coping mechanism but also as a reminder of the transient nature of challenges faced in the legal domain.
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The session also delved into the complexities of balancing personal beliefs with professional obligations. Justice Bhambhani , shared the dilemmas judges often face when their personal convictions clash with the law.
“(At times) You know what the right thing is to do but there are constraints. We have an opinion but sometimes you can’t do anything about it because that’s the law of the land and you’ve to follow it. That is the trickiest position to be in,”
-he explained.
This acknowledgment sheds light on the ethical and moral challenges inherent in the judicial process.
Justice Bhambhani reminded legal professionals of the importance of balance and humor in their demanding legal profession. He encouraged them to stay professional but also adopt a light-hearted approach to alleviate stress and navigate the complexities of their work.
Also, dealing with challenges in the legal field can be tough, but keeping a sense of humor is a practical way to take care of mental well-being.
