When you’ve decided to take action to enforce your workplace rights, the process of seeking justice can be overwhelming, both mentally and emotionally. Whether you’ve suffered harassment as an emergency nurse, discrimination due to pregnancy as you were working your way up the corporate ladder or retaliation for blowing the whistle on workplace safety concerns, you’re under a lot of stress.
Managing stress during this time is important, not only for your well-being (which is a good enough reason in itself to dedicate yourself to working through it) but also because a failure to attend to your stress now could ultimately affect the outcome of your case. Stress can affect your decision-making, your ability to successfully navigate negotiations or litigation and your ability to move forward once all is said and done.
Self-care is not indulgent, especially not right now
Legal cases often involve complex decisions about negotiations, settlements and testimony. If you’re overwhelmed with stress, it can be harder – than it otherwise might be – to think clearly and make informed choices. Stress can cloud your judgment, leading to impulsive decisions or difficulty following your legal team’s guidance. By managing your stress, you’ll give yourself the mental clarity to assess your options, ask potentially consequential questions and make thoughtful decisions that are in your best interests.
Beyond your legal situation, it’s worth remembering that prolonged stress can take a toll on your emotional well-being, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression and/or helplessness. When dealing with a legal case, especially one that involves your employment, it’s important to take care of your mental health. By managing stress in healthy ways, you can stay focused and resilient during what may be a lengthy legal process.