Going through a personal injury lawsuit can be incredibly stressful.

You might be trapped in litigation for months, or even years, depending on the complexity of the case, and if you’re not able to negotiate a settlement, you may have to go to trial.

All the while, you won’t know exactly how much money you stand to win, or if you’re even going to win the case.

At the same time, you might be seriously injured as a result of the accident.

You might not be able to work, or you might be prevented from doing the ordinary things you love to do.

And although your lawyer will handle most of the legal work, you’ll have at least some legal responsibilities in this process.

How do you handle the stress of this complicated situation?

6 Tips for Managing Stress:

1. Hire the Best Lawyer You Can (and Trust Them)

First, get in touch with the best personal injury lawyer you can afford.

Your lawyer is going to help you better understand your case, the legal process, and every step from beginning to end.

They’re going to represent you in negotiations and in court, fighting for you so that you can get the greatest possible settlement.

They’re going to handle the bulk of the work, and they’ll serve as a kind of shield, so you can sit back and focus on your recovery.

Remember that your lawyer has your best interests at heart, so trust their advice whenever they give it to you.

If you follow their direction, you’ll be much more likely to get an optimal outcome.

2. Take Care of Your Pain

If you have pain lingering after the injury, focus on relieving or mediating it however you can.

Physical pain can be a massive distraction that exacerbates the other stress and uncertainty you feel.

Take medications.

If you were prescribed medications, consider taking them at regular intervals.

Otherwise, you can use over the counter (OTC) pain relievers to lessen the pain while you concentrate on recovering.

[For any decision please consult with a professional or a doctor first]

Consider treatments.

You might have access to other treatment methods as well.

Depending on the nature of the accident and your injuries, you may qualify for surgery or other interventions designed to minimize your pain and discomfort.

Get plenty of exercise.

As long as you do so with restraint, and in line with your doctor’s advice, it’s often a good idea to get physical exercise when you’re recovering from a significant accident.

Even if you don’t have the same mobility you did before, even light and periodic exercise can be beneficial for relieving stress.

Meditate.

Meditation is also an excellent way to manage pain, especially since it can be practiced anywhere by anyone.

Mindfulness meditation is relatively easy to learn but hard to master, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work for you right away.

3. Know Your Strategy

Most people feel less stressed when they reduce or eliminate uncertain variables in front of them.

You’ll likely feel more comfortable and confident in your personal injury case if you thoroughly understand the legal strategy you’re going to use.

What are you and your lawyer going to do?
Why are you going to do it?
What are the next steps, and what can you expect from them?

If you don’t know, work with your lawyer to improve your understanding.

4. Find Meaningful Distractions

If left to your own thoughts, you might feel even more stressed.

Try to find meaningful distractions to occupy your attention and time, such as hanging out with friends and family members or watching some of your favorite films and TV shows.

5. Consider Getting Professional Support

If you’ve tried several things and you’re still struggling, consider getting professional support.

Talking to a therapist could be exactly what you need to work through the stress and other mental health issues you’re facing.

Another option is to join a local support group.

Chances are, there are lots of mental health related support groups in your area, most of which are free.

These can be valuable opportunities to find emotional support and new connections.

6. Take Things One Day at a Time

Perhaps most importantly, you should focus on only one day at a time.

If you get lost in speculation about what might happen months or years from now, you’re going to feel stressed unnecessarily.

Leave it to your lawyer to worry about optimization and the long term future.

For now, just try to live in the present and avoid concentrating on unknown factors.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is sometimes necessary if you want adequate compensation for the injuries you sustained in a recent accident.

However, the stress can be downright unbearable at times.

Fortunately, with these strategies and a willingness to experiment with others, you should be able to minimize the stress you feel and make it to the other side in confidence.