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Slogan: It’s Time to Practice H.A.L.T.!
Especially during the holidays
“HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired”
Initially, I thought Al-Anon’s slogans were corn dogs on a stick . . . all starchy bread with little meat in proportion, ie, not much sustenance . . . until I actually used them. Then they became lifesavers! For you consideration, I present the slogan, H.A.L.T.
Are you feeling crazy over someone else’s expectations? Feeling pressured by too much to do in too little time? Frazzled from saying “yes” to numerous obligations and all you really want to do is. just. take. a. nap? Demanding family members needing a lot from you right now?
Then H.A.L.T.!: Ask yourself “Am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?” It’s a concrete way to find out why you’re out of sorts and what you can do about it.
I forget about my body when I’m stressed by any time/activity conundrum. I have too much to do in too little time (see my blog post on triaging your to-do list) and because I ruminate on how much I have to do in so little time, I become a giant walking head that has no body. The fact that it’s now the time of year book-ended by two big cultural holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas — adds an extra layer of stress before I have to take any action regarding any either holiday!
