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Juror self-care

Last updated on May 5, 2022

Jury duty is a vital, rewarding and meaningful public service. Occasionally, jury duty can also be stressful and difficult. Jurors are sometimes required to hear information and testimony about violent crimes, including crimes against children and other vulnerable people. Not all jurors are affected by this experience in the same way. Individual stress responses can vary according to life experi­ence and are usually temporary.

As a result of your service on a jury you might experience the following stress responses:

Physical

  • Profuse sweating/night sweats
  • Upset stomach
  • Overall sense of fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension

Mental

  • Problems concentrating
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Poor attention span
  • Flashbacks to the case details
  • Short term memory problems

Emotional

  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Feeling disconnected from family/friends
  • Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy

Practice good self-care during the trial by doing the following:

  • Get rest;
  • Eat well and stay hydrated;
  • Monitor use of alcohol and caffeine for any changes or increase in usage;
  • Keep a normal schedule;
  • Exercise or go for a walk – physical activity may help;
  • If you wake up in the middle of the night: have a drink of water, read a little if you can’t get back to sleep and remember to take deep breaths; and
  • If you have a flashback to something you saw/heard while on the jury: breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth up to the count of 10 and then take notice of your current environment.
Respond to a summons for jury duty

You must respond to a jury summons - even if you feel you are not qualified or need an exemption. You can respond by mail or online.  Find out how.