It can be very stressful when you or someone you love is facing criminal charges. The fear can stem from not understanding the legal system or fear of the consequences of the crime. But, no matter where the stress comes from, it’s essential to take steps to protect your mental health during this challenging time.
When you fail to manage stress properly, not only can it affect you emotionally, but it can also manifest itself physically. This can lead to you making poor decisions, you could notice a decrease in your productivity, and you can even start not to enjoy life anymore. And if you fail to manage your stress, and it leads to another criminal charge, it can worsen your legal issues.
To avoid making things worse, taking the necessary steps to protect your mental health from the onset of your legal woes is essential. This article will give you some simple things you can do to help protect your mental health when you or a loved one are facing criminal charges.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential for your mental well-being. Lack of sleep affects your memory and ability to think and learn and can seriously affect your mental and emotional health.
Knowing that you need more sleep is one thing, but trying to get more sleep when you or a loved one are facing criminal charges can be difficult.
Here are some ideas to try to get a better night’s sleep.
- Create a bedtime routine. Performing the same routine daily will condition your body to wind down for sleep.
- Go to sleep at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each morning. After some time, your body will get used to these hours, and it will become easier to fall asleep.
- Use melatonin. If nothing else works, melatonin can be a healthy, non-addictive way to aid sleep. Of course, check with your doctor before starting any new supplements or medications.
Stay Off of Social Media and Avoid the News
Avoiding as many stressors as possible is essential during this time. Two of the main stressors are the news and social media.
A 2020 study concluded that while to full effect is yet to be determined, social media can harm users’ psychological health. What you see on social media and the news can be emotionally draining under normal circumstances, and with the situation you’re facing right now, it can have an even more significant effect, so consider “unplugging” for a while.
Self-Care is Essential
Focusing on self-care is essential for everyone’s mental health. Here are some ways that you can practice self-care.
- Take a nice, quiet bubble bath at least once a week. Use this time to clear your mind and enjoy the moment.
- Go shopping. Even window shopping can help you get out of the house and focus on things you enjoy.
- Exercise. Regular exercise improves your health and releases endorphins that help you feel better. It can also help eliminate the negative thoughts that can cause anxiety and depression.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Focus on the Positivity, Avoid the Negative
You’ve taken the first steps to avoid the negative by staying away from the news and social media. Now it’s time to take the next step. Remove as many negative people from your life as you can. If completely removing them isn’t possible, avoid them as much as possible and limit any time you spend with them.
It’s now time to focus on the positive. Make a list of things and people that make you happy. Whether it be regular get-togethers with friends who support you, going to the movies, or reading books, find what makes you happy and surround yourself with those things.
Practice Gratitude
During trying times, it’s helpful to have a list of things you’re grateful for when negativity sneaks in. You can keep this list handy by starting a gratitude journal. You can write in it first thing in the morning to start your day on a positive note, or you can do it before bed.
Here’s how it works. First, list three to five things you are grateful for that have happened in the last 24 hours. Have you spent quality time with friends or family? Did you finish a great book? Write these things down, then close your eyes and focus on how these things made you feel.
Focusing on the good in life can help make your stressful time more manageable.
Get in Touch With a Criminal Defense Attorney
The legal process can be confusing and stressful. However, learning to deal with stress healthily can help you feel more in control of your life. As a result, you will be more resilient, make better decisions, think more clearly, and be more apt to stand up to any challenges you face as you move on with your life.
At Jeremy Widder Law, we know how stressful and overwhelming legal problems can be. That’s why we’re here to help. We strive to ease your concerns by guiding you through the legal system with compassion while delivering top-notch legal services to protect your rights and your future.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
