The Impact Of A Legal Battle On Your Overall Health
Dealing with legal issues can be a harrowing experience for individuals and organizations.
Author:James PierceReviewer:Karan EmeryOct 07, 20229 Shares497 Views
Dealing with legal issues can be a harrowing experience for individuals and organizations. As a result, while some are able to keep their composure in court, there are others who break down under the strain and become highly emotional or even violent during hearings. This is especially true if opposing lawyers seem to be overly aggressive with their line of questioning, or if the case involves abuse or murder.
Back in June, Tonio Hughes, who is the father of a slain 3-year-old boy, attacked his son's accused killer, 22-year-old Desean Brown in an Ohio court. Hughes managed to land several blows on Brown before he was restrained by deputies. In a statement to TV station WLWT, a family friend said that Hughes was overwhelmed by the pain of losing his child and that he only "did what I think any of us would do." The father's actions show that on top of grief, the stress of dealing with a legal battle can affect one's state of mind. This, in turn, can develop into physical health problems or unsafe behavior. Moreover, these negative emotions can also be felt by others, apart from the those who are directly involved in the case. This is why anyone who's spending time in a courtroom should do whatever they can to look after their overall wellbeing.
Physical and Mental Health Problems
There are several ways that a legal battle can impact your health. According to a survey, 20% of respondents said that their legal problems caused them to have stress-related illnesses, while 19% said that their physical healthwas negatively impacted. Physical symptoms may include headaches, stomach ache, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, and digestive problems, among others. Those who are stressed over legal matters may also experience anxiety, nervousness, and difficulty sleeping. While these may seem like minor health issues, being under constant stress can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, depression, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Lawyer and Juror Stress
Lawyers, including personal injury lawyers,and those who are on jury duty also experience extreme stress, especially if the case is a high profile one or if they're on a long-running trial. Almost 40% of jurorssay that they have experienced stress due to their jury duty. Meanwhile, 9 in 10 lawyers feel stressed or burnout at work, and a quarter have to deal with stress on a daily basis. As a result, most of them develop harmful habits in order to cope with the pressure. A study of about 13,000 licensed lawyers reveals that 1 in 3 have problematic drinking habits, while another research shows that nearly 10% of lawyers are heavy smokers.
Coping with Stress
Not worrying over legal issues is easier said than done. However, anyone who has an active role in court should take steps in order to fight stress and overcome negative emotions that they may feel during court battles. Staying calm and focused helps - take deep breaths and observe proper court behavior in order to avoid losing your temper. Having a solid support system also helps so you can talk about your worries and avoid feeling isolated or depressed. Also, keep your body healthy by consuming nutritious foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Doing something to give your mind a break can do wonders to relieve stress. Meditating, engaging in art activities, or other mindful activities can all help to reduce stress and keep anxiety at bay.
Going through legal issues can be one of the most difficult things that anyone can experience in their life. People who have an active role in a lawsuit should make it a point to stay calm and look after their health to avoid the health impacts of court-related stress.
James Pierce
Author
Karan Emery
Reviewer
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