HALT: A Simple Reminder for Self-Care

DenaFebruary 27, 2016

purple flower

So many times in life, we discover that the little things really are the big things. As I wrote in my last post, I’ve been going through some major life changes and they’re far from little. But what I’ve noticed is that although the big things are always looming in the back of my heart — it’s the little things that tend to have the most bearing on my mood.

Throughout the day, there are times that I feel irritated, stressed, anxious, or just “off.” I’m sure that you have those moments, too. Often times, these feelings are a simple result of lack of self-care. Life gets in the way, we focus on doing the ten thousand things that need doing, and self-care falls to the bottom of the list.

Lately, I’ve been having more of these moments than usual. So I’ve started making an extra effort to be mindful. Recently I stumbled across the acronym HALT which stands for: Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? Four simple questions that I can ask myself when I’m feeling off. Stopping to pause and ask myself these questions almost always leads to the root of the problem.

  • If I’m hungry (or thirsty), a snack, meal, glass of water or tea can fix things instantly.
  • If I’m angry (or sad or scared), I identify the thought that is causing my feelings. I quickly assess whether there is a quick fix and if not, I pray that my anger, sadness, and fear be replaced with acceptance and love.
  • If I’m lonely, I pause to speak with God; read a bible verse; or call/text a friend. (Side note: For moms with little ones, I don’t recommend seeking more time with your children to cure loneliness. Motherhood is nearly synonymous with loneliness and even though we love our babies dearly, most of the time, the loneliness of motherhood can only be cured by adult interaction.
  • If I’m tired, well, this one is a bit tricky for me at the moment. There are lots of nice solutions to exhaustion such as going to bed earlier, waking later, taking a nap, or meditating. Unfortunately, these things aren’t always possible, especially for mothers of little ones, but if at all possible — rest. If you can’t, take an extra long shower and have another cup of strong tea. 😉

These things seem simple, but frequently stopping to check in with myself, goes a long way. Self-care is critical, especially when we’re going through difficult times.

Take care of yourself, friends. I’m sending you love & light.

D.

Comments (3)

  • Shwé

    February 27, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    just what i needed right now. thank you.

  • Mallory

    March 30, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    Wow, thank you for that acronym. I have been dealing with some postpartum depression recently and have been becoming more mindful of the term “self care”. I think I will write that one down.

  • Trisha Roberts

    May 27, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    Praying that you will find Joy and Peace today. Mothering is certainly stressful, to say the least. Add that to everything else, and it can be overwhelming. I would challenge you to find a Bible verse that speaks to your heart and memorize it. Post it on the mirror. Post it on the steering wheel of your car. Be reminded that God loves you and has a Wonderful plan for your life!

    Trisha

Leave a Reply to Trisha Roberts Cancel reply

Prev Post

heart spill // february

Next Post

Dealing with Toxic People: Poor Listeners