How do you feel right now? Great? Okay? Not so good?

If you aren’t feeling your best, taking a moment to HALT is one of the best things you can do for your overall mental and physical health.

HALT is also an acronym that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. 

When one or more of these areas are out of balance, it is more likely we will struggle with our emotional health and overall well-being as a result. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on whether you are feeling any of these things.

Let’s break each area down.

HUNGER
We might jokingly say we are “hangry,” but this is a real thing. Hunger can put the body in an imbalanced state that can lead to mood swings, affect our ability to make decisions, and lower our impulse control

ANGER
When we are angry or experiencing negative emotions, we may not be able to think rationally. If you feel angry, take some time to calm down first. Try to talk through what you are feeling with someone.

LONELINESS
We all experience loneliness at times in our lives. Even when people surround us, we may not be actively interacting with them Isolation can be a breeding ground for depression and unhealthy choices. Even brief encounters can help reduce feelings of loneliness and have a positive impact on well-being.

TIREDNESS
When we are physically and emotionally tired, we are often more likely to engage in more negative thinking patterns and interactions.

When you find yourself getting upset, or if you just feel a bit off: HALT. Take a moment to do an internal assessment. Are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired? If so, take the steps necessary to address your need