There is no question that being arrested for DUII (DUI) can make life incredibly stressful. The shock of the initial arrest can create severe anxiety, as well as the feeling of uncertainty that accompanies it.

Do I have to hire a lawyer? Am I going to get convicted? Will I lose my job? What will my friends and family say? These are only a few of the many questions racing through your mind. Meanwhile you must try to continue with your day-to-day responsibilities. Unfortunately, there is no pause button in life while you deal with a traumatic event.

While it’s completely normal to feel scared and overwhelmed, living in a state of constant dread will only make matters worse. Rest assured that it is possible to cope with the after-effects of a DUII arrest. And more than possible, it’s necessary. Taking care of your mental health as you go through the process of resolving your criminal case will help you feel calmer and more confident about your situation.

Like all negative experiences in life, this too shall pass. And in the meantime, here are 5 things you can do to help yourself move forward.

Most Importantly, Hire Legal Help.

If you’ve been arrested, the first thing you need is to find the right law firm to help you – the kind of law firm that you can place your faith and trust into, a law firm that you can believe in, and one that will believe in you too. The Reynolds Defense Firm is exactly that kind of law firm for the clients we work with. Part of why our clients hire us is our ability to help them understand both their immediate circumstance and their big picture. We can help you get past the fear of the unknown to understand, anticipate, and plan for what may be coming your way, so you find peace of mind and rest easier.

Stop Beating Yourself Up

A few bad moments do not somehow undo an entire lifetime of being a good person. It’s in our nature as humans to make mistakes. And when you do, it’s important not to let the inertia continue to drag you down a faulty path. Living with a mistake is difficult and only makes your life more problematic than it would be otherwise. There will be waves of guilt – that’s inevitable. And in those moments, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re going to be okay. Dealing with a DUI arrest is hard, but you won’t have to endure the consequences forever.

Reach Out to Your Support System

After a DUI arrest there can be a tendency to pull away from friends, family, and social situations because of shame. But isolating yourself only makes it harder for you to shake off your negative thoughts and move on. Reach out to loved ones and keep them involved in your progress. You might be surprised at the level of emotional support you receive from friends and family.

Eat Healthy and Exercise

Exercise is a great way to release endorphins. This natural high can really break you out of a funk. Take advantage of gyms, yoga classes, dance classes, or other recreational activities that help you to break a sweat. Exercising and eating healthy foods can help you to stabilize your moods and stay focused.

Use This Experience to Improve Your Quality of Life

The trauma, fear and uncertainty you are going through right now creates the core of an opportunity for you – being arrested pulls you out of your everyday routine and allows you see your life in a big-picture way. You know you never want to be here again, and that clarity brings an understanding that you need to change some things about your life to make it work better for you.  That’s why we’ve created a four-week coaching program, Window of Clarity, that has helped hundreds of people successfully change their lives after a DUI arrest. Window of Clarity will also help you to create new habits that will ultimately help you be happier and feel confident as you navigate the court process.