Ever have one of those days where you’re trying to make a decision about the direction of your business but your brain just doesn’t seem to be clicking like you’re accustomed to?
Don’t be alarmed! It happens to the best of us.
When I feel out of sorts, my favorite tool to evaluate why I am not feeling myself is the simple acronym of H.A.L.T.
H.A.L.T. in this circumstance does not simply mean to stop what you are doing; it acts as a helpful tool to help us evaluate what is causing a change in our mood.
H = Hungry
A = Angry
L = Lonely
T = Tired
Hungry
Crashes in blood sugar are known to cause mood swings and changes in mental status. When we return these blood sugar levels to the normal range, whether eating a meal or a quick snack, we can expect many of these symptoms to resolve. So the next time you might be feeling a bit more irritable or reactionary, the first thing you should ask yourself is, “when was the last time I ate?”
Hunger does not exclusively have to relate to food. There are times we have “emotional hunger,” in which we crave a human connection. When this occurs, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend or coworker and let them know that you need extra support.
Angry
In my course Inner Compass Accelerator, we dive deep into what anger is and how it often presents itself. I emphasize with my clients that anger is a secondary emotion, meaning that below the surface, there is another emotion driving the anger.
Whether it’s resentment, frustration, jealousy, or embarrassment, we use anger to meet our emotional needs. This can be seen as having a short temper, cutting someone off, or just being downright rude because you feel like it!
Try and take time to connect to your body and figure out what is causing this anger to come forward, then take a deep breath yourself, “how can I express what my true emotions are with a more pleasant and constructive attitude.”
Lonely
Loneliness is something we have all been through and can acknowledge the negative changes in our mood that come as a result. Whenever I feel lonely, I try to ask myself, “when was the last time I had a quality connection with a friend or loved one?”
The pandemic has taught us that there are many ways to connect with others, whether in person, on the phone, through FaceTime, or just a good old-fashioned handwritten letter. You will be stunned by the power you have to improve your overall mood by just talking with someone about how their day went.
Sometimes we will even self-isolate ourselves on purpose. I cannot emphasize enough that you do not need to do this to yourself! You never should feel like you must deal with things on your own. If you feel lonely, reach out! Even those of us who identify as an introvert need physical connection.
Tired
Whether physical or emotional, we can exhaust ourselves to the point we feel drained. When this happens, try to navigate why you might be feeling this way with yourself. Did you have a stressful deadline you needed to meet at work? Did you have a medical appointment that you had been ruminating on for a while?
Regardless of the cause, you need to find ways to rest and relax so you can recharge! Maybe you need to go to bed earlier, take a nap or vegetate and watch one of your favorite TV shows.
The next time you notice you are not feeling yourself, tell yourself to “H.A.L.T.!” It is your body’s way of telling you to “do something different and get our basic human needs met!”
If you are struggling with knowing whether you are genuinely feeling off, check out my YouTube video on how to do a Body Scan!
