HALT
“Self- care” has become common vernacular and is associated for many with the idea of “treating yourself.” Images of pedicures, lavish bubble baths, a glass of wine after a long work day, buying something you do not need but definitely want. Is this self-care?
I propose that self-care more often means doing what you know will benefit your well-being, even if you do not necessary feel like it in the moment.
I also propose we start with the most basic forms of self-care. For this, I offer the acronym H.A.L.T.
H stands for hungry.
Have you had a glass of water in the last hour? Are you dehydrated? Have you eaten a real meal in the last few hours? Is your blood sugar low, making you cranky? Personally, I keep snacks in my purse and car as well as a water bottle on my person at all times.
A stands for angry.
Are you upset about something? Are you feeling hurt? Where do you feel this in your body? Are you acknowledging these feelings to yourself and possibly another trusted person? When important feelings like anger or hurt go un- acknowledged, they tend to come out sideways or lead us to indulge in impulsive behaviors. Slowing down and acknowledging these feelings gives us the opportunity to proactively decide how we would like to address them.
L stands for lonely.
Loneliness is something we all feel at one time or another. This feeling can be exacerbated by the fact that we are hyper- connected via technology. And technology can absolutely be an asset in connecting with others: sending a quick text to a friend, face-timing with a relative in another state or country. However, we need face-to-face time. Can you reach out to a friend or make a point of connecting with others on a routine basis after work? These connections are vital for our well-being.
T stands for tired.
Did you get enough sleep last night? Can you lie down for a brief nap if not? How is your sleep hygiene?* Are you falling asleep to the glow of your phone or computer, or is your room dark and cool and set up for the best night’s sleep? For more ideas on developing better sleep hygiene, see the article below.
The foundation of self-care is small, repeated habits that help us maintain a baseline of well-being.
If we take care of the basics, we set ourselves up to better manage the bigger stressors of life. Before you decide everything is awful, pause and consider whether you may just be hungry, upset about a fight with a friend, or exhausted and act accordingly.
*To read more about sleep hygiene from the NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION, click HERE.
For further reading, check out this article on GOOD THERAPY by Cyndi Turner, LCSW.