It’s the summer, which means that bathing suit season is out in full force. You may be stuck in the courtroom during the week, but on the weekends, it’s time for fun in the sun. Thanks to beautiful weather in Alabama, where the skies are so blue, we typically spend a lot of time outside. Since it’s hot as hades out there, we’ll usually be in minimal clothing (otherwise we’d be laid out on the sidewalk frying like an egg at Over Easy). Laying by the pool is one of my favorite ways to de-stress. I love the sound of kids laughing as the splash each other, the smell of the sun tan lotion, and the warm sun warming me up while I sip my cold drink. However, laying by the pool isn’t the only way to de-stress. There are tons of ways that you can #gethealthy and slap that stress producing court case in the face. Here’s a few tips on how to minimize your stress when going through a court case:
- Hire Smart: The first thing you need to do before hiring an attorney is to contact friends and family. 90% of our work comes from referrals. Why? Because we go out of our way for our clients. We look out for them because we get to know them and care about the outcome of their case. There are many other attorneys who also do this. You just have to make sure you hire one of them. If your lawyer doesn’t have a reputation at all, or has a negative one in the legal community, make sure you do your research to find out. Sometimes it’s hard to get the money back once you hire a front loader. That’s what we, in the legal community, call someone who takes a lot of money upfront, spends it all then turns you loose without a dime to spend or any work done on your case.
- Eat Well: I love Phish Food more than words can describe. Ben & Jerry’s and I are BFF’s to the end and back. However, stress packs on weight for some, and causes others to lose quickly. In order to keep yourself out of the hospital you need to get the correct nutrients. You want to go into the courtroom feeling confident and strong. This begins with an apple a day. Do you think that when gladiators (missing scandal already) are preparing for a fight they truly eat popcorn and wine? No, they eat well. You should eat like you’re training for a marathon… or a halfsie.
- Exercise: Remember what I just said about looking good and feeling good? Well, the best way to keep stress weight off is to exercise along with eating healthy. Also, endorphins are so much better for you than Phish Food! Endorphins make people happy and happy people don’t kill their husbands. They just don’t. (Elle Woods, anyone?)
- Seek Counseling: Friends and family are a great, great, support group to have, but they aren’t professionals in the arena of emotional counseling. Your life is upside down. Don’t keep putting on a strong face and then calling your attorneys crying. It isn’t healthy for you, nor is it good for your pocket book. Counselors can provide you with the tools to help you become a stronger person mentally. If you can’t afford a counselor, seek a counseling group. There are tons of churches and community groups with people who are going through similar situations. Do a little research and see what they can do for you!
- Be Frugal: Life is always about opportunity cost. You have to give up something for something else unless you’re Oprah. She can have whatever she wants. Don’t spend your stress away. You will be left with a closet full of weird shoes, and things you don’t need. Look at the opportunity cost of going away for a weekend with the girls to relax versus buying a new pair of Louboutins. Look at the opportunity cost of joining an intramural football league versus that giant flat screen inside the mahogany bar for your new man cave.
- Stop Sweating the Small Stuff: You have to think before you call. Is it worth the phone call right now? If it’s 7:00p.m. on a Saturday and your child’s father called you fat, what will it change to call your lawyer? Nothing. Think about those opportunity costs. You could call your lawyer and spend hundreds analyzing why he’s calling you fat, or you could sign up for a dance class for the month and really show him the next time you’re in court. I suggest #gethealthy. Think about keeping a diary for the little things. Sometimes they aren’t much even though they anger you for a moment, but in the big picture they really add up.