H.A.L.T. is another one of those acronyms we use in recovery to help remember a way of life that can help to arrest negative behaviors and get us back on track.
We have to remember that self care is just as important as self awareness when your in recovery. Working the steps, going to meetings, and talking to your sponsor are all about self awareness. Using H.A.L.T. is more about self care.
Let's take a look at what this means point by point.
This rock sits on my desk...
Hungry
Hunger is not only physical, it can be an emotional need as well. Knowing that we need to eat is not too big of a secret, but knowing that our hunger is affecting us in a negative way can be. We must be aware of this physical need and address it. Not only eat, but eat healthy. There is much to be said for the fact that most of us have not took care of our bodies very well. Paying attention to what you are putting into your body is very important. Do it!
Another aspect of HUNGRY has nothing to do with eating and everything to do with emotion. When we are in need of companionship or support, we are also hungry, hungry for people. Psychologists know that interaction with other people can be just as important as food or water to a person.
Angry
While anger is a normal and natural response to some situations, it is necessary to HALT and think about what is causing our anger and find an appropriate way to address it. Meditation, screaming, punching a pillow, whatever it takes to address our anger in a HEALTHY manner can be used. The key term here is HEALTHY!
When we hold in our anger and don't express it in correct ways, it can lead to resentments, which can lead to relapse.
Lonely
We can find ourselves lonely even when we are in a room full of people. What we need to do is HALT and ask yourself if you have really reached out to anyone lately. Have you called your sponsor? Went to a meeting AND shared? Getting our of where you are can help as well. Going for a walk or running errands that you may have put off can get you out of your funk and also let you meet others, maybe even help them.
Getting out of yourself and doing service work always will help you. Go serve food at a homeless shelter. Mow your neighbors lawn for no reason. If nothing else helps, service work will.
Tired
Last on our list is tired. This does not necessarily mean get some sleep, just get some rest. Go see a movie, run, go sit and watch people at a park. The point is to recharge your emotional and physical batteries.
Summary
By being aware of our feelings and why we are having them we can avoid putting ourselves at risk of relapse. A lot of times when we are in recovery, it is easy to let what others need over power what we need. Taking care of ourselves has to come first. Remember, it is a selfish program in the sense that if you don't have recovery, you can't help anyone else!
H.A.L.T. and see what YOU need!
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