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18 Experience 25 (2007-2008)
Lawyers, Depression, and Exercise

handle is hein.journals/experien18 and id is 27 raw text is: his article, based upon my personal experience, discusses the illness of depression and the benefits of physical exercise in recovering from depression and maintaining general mental health. Although this is my stoiy it isn't about me. It is about all of us who hold ourselves out to the service of others, Our lives are hectic. We are perfectionists, and we take ownership of our client's problems. We are constuntly juggling professional and per- sonal needs. Our minds overload. My hope is that this article will give readers an opportunity to rethink how they live and wll hold out the possibility that change is very real. My journev back to health began when I learned that 'the world I viewed was a vision of my mind. Knowing this allowed me to begin the process of refocus- ing on the pieces of my life. I am 61 years old. In 1974 my wife and I returned to our home town, where I started my private practice of law. For 26 years I was the perfect hunter, going forth from my hearth every day to bag the biggest game and to solve every problem that came my way. One Friday afternoon in early Decem- ber of the 27th year, I was sitting at my desk organizing files for the following week when a cloud of darkness filled my mind. I have come to refer to this dark and confusing time and place as bewil- derment. The doctors called it a major episode of depression. My life was turned upside down. I couldn't sleep. My anxiety increased as I struggled to think my way back to health. I needed medicine to ease my depression and anxiety. For a year I was John M. Parr is a lawyer, Certified Senior Advisor, and Certified Fitness Specialist for Older Adults in Olympia, Washington He can be reached at JMP@5Opluslaw.com. FALL 2007/EXPERIENCE