How are you today? This seems like a basic question, banal in fact when you consider the answers in response. I’m good…not bad…can’t complain. However, HALT has given a new meaning to the question how are you. Checking in with yourself is vital and can be a key part to regulating your mood, your thoughts and will help you deal with the many challenges and stressors in life. Checking in sets the standard of how you will care for yourself and increase your awareness.
So what is HALT?
Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired
Instead of providing a long medical explanation based on research or the research it self, I’ll do my best to simplify it all.
The chief task of HALT is to stop what you’re doing or correct it in order to improve or regulate the stressors. It’s important to note, this is foundational in 12-step programs and other forms of rehab as these stressors can encourage addicts to start using again. Whether or not you are fighting addiction, HALT has a core driver of eliminating the dependence on substances for relief and other comforts by leaning on healthier alternatives to help you deal with your challenges.
There are two physical states to HALT— hungry and tired— and two emotion states—angry and lonely, as psychiatrist and addiction specialist David Streem explains it. So the focus on these four ensures that your basic needs are met and you have a foundation under you to deal with the stress you may face. In addition, feeling safe and secure.
Lets look at this practically. When you are hungry you will snap at people and you cannot think properly. You simply do not have the energy that food provides or the nutrients. So eat 3 meals per day, preferably healthy meals. Have a snack during the day. We’ve seen the Snickers commercials, where the person is hungry and is one version of themselves. Then given a Snickers bar and they turn into someone else. In a separate study, it highlights that when couples fight, a high percentage of the reason is because they’re hungry.
When you’re angry, you simply don’t make good decisions and often it is those closest to you or those you work with that are on the receiving end of that anger. Often the choices rooted in anger do not lead to anything good or productive. Have a journal that you can turn to to release all this anger you’re experiencing. Pray. Meditate. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Find something to make you laugh. Or simply, just sit and breathe.
When you are lonely, you find company with people that may not be good for you or you resort to unhealthy habits. We are all meant to have relationships, community and we’re all social beings. This one is much harder to remedy here in this blog. However, you can join a book club or a group of people who walk everyday after work. You can volunteer at shelters or animal hospitals or rescues. And with the use of social media, you may even reconnect with old friends or coworkers through Facebook.
Lack of sleep or being tired ensures that you don’t show up sharp, alert, and very moody. It affects the brain and its ability to function. Going to bed early or earlier would be helpful and waking up at the same time, ensuring you are getting adequate amounts of sleep. Reducing the amount of TV or screen time you have before bed. Insomnia is a completely different matter and you should look for professional medical help. For those of you who are parents, you know what sleep deprivation is like. With that, you also know just how important sleep is.
As you face an obstacle or challenge or you feel stressed, ask yourself if this is related to HALT. Ask yourself this multiple times per day as you face what’s in front of you. By regulating these you will find much of what stresses you today, will go away with time and practice of addressing your HALT.
Thought Provoking Questions : When faced with stress ask yourself—am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
Dan Roman is a writer that releases a daily meditation. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions. Influenced by the obstacles, success and failures in life and of others. Using history, books, current events, philosophy, and ancient wisdom. These writings are actionable, thought-provoking, designed to make your life better.
What are your thoughts on this piece? Comment below…