How to Handle the Stress of an Indiana Criminal Charge and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Dealing with a criminal charge is stressful under the best of times. When you add the stress and concerns of the coronavirus pandemic, you might start feeling downright panicky. Here are a few tips for keeping these twin stressors under control.

1. Limit your exposure to the news. Turn on the news, read a paper, and you’ll see horrifying coronavirus-related stories at any given moment. Such information overload can lead you to feel helpless and hopeless, compounding feelings you might already be experiencing since your arrest. Try to avoid news sites for long stretches throughout the day. Instead, pick one particular time to watch or read the news for a set amount of time, then check out.
2. Avoid social media. When you’re facing a criminal charge, you should avoid social media in any case. You should assume that the prosecution or the police are monitoring your accounts, looking for incriminating evidence. Such evidence might even include a simple statement or photo you believe to be unrelated to your case. The pandemic is all the more reason to stay away from social media. Facebook, Twitter, and others channels may have some useful news, but they can also be full of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the anxieties of your friends and followers. Tuning into these stories may needlessly heighten your own. Just stay away.
3. Stay focused on things you can control. You can only do so much to control the coronavirus or your criminal matter. In terms of coronavirus health fears, you can engage in safe practices such as social distancing, handwashing, and avoiding others, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. For your legal case, you can help your criminal defense attorney build your case by collecting and providing relevant information, documents, or records, or showing up for any scheduled court hearings, prepared and on time.
4. Do things that bring you pleasure. Given Indiana’s current lockdown policy, you may not be able to do the things you usually love, such as going to your favorite restaurant or movie theater. But now is a good time to identify other things that bring you peace and joy, such as reading, spending time with family, or learning a new skill or hobby that you’ve always wanted to do. You may also want to investigate using mindfulness or meditation techniques to help calm anxiety about your case and the pandemic.
5. Ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the stress, don’t be afraid to get the help you need. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor or a clinic regarding medical issues. Speak to your criminal defense lawyer about worries regarding your case. If your anxieties begin verging to thoughts of self-harm please call an Indiana mental health hotline right away.