HALT – The word reminds us to stop and evaluate before we take action or reach for coping mechanisms that might be detrimental to ourselves/ others/ our relationships with others. I have begun to use HALT to determine, in particular, if I am currently able to offer support or expend emotional energy. I have also used it to better understand why someone might be experiencing a heightened state. I tagged group work as well as purposeful communication and self-regulated learning because this method can be used when mediating between two people.

H – Hungry. This step encourages you to simply consider if you have fulfilled your nutritional needs (not JUST if you’ve eaten, but if that meal was nutritionally complete).

Some relevant questions: Am I hangry? Have I had a vegetable recently? Can [situation/ interaction/ care task] wait until I’ve had a snack? Can I give this issue the attention is deserves while hungry?

A – Angry. If you are feeling angry or triggered, it is necessary to feel and process this emotion before acting. Anger can cloud judgement and lead to impulsive actions.

Some relevant questions: Is this [situation/ interaction/ care task] making me angry? What do I need right now to calm down? Am I responding in a way that [insert calm person – I use Mr. Rogers] would respond? Do I need to step away to calm myself?

L – Lonely. If someone is isolated or feeling disconnected from others, it’s easy to get caught up in feelings of detachment and abandonment. Being part of a positive, meaningful social community encourages positive, support behavior in all members.

Some relevant questions: Have I talked to someone today that hasn’t needed something from me? Has someone else tended to a need or request I have expressed? Have I casually chatted or laughed with someone today?

T – Tired. A lack of sleep can impact decision-making, focus, and emotional state. Proper sleep and good sleep hygiene is an important basic need. This step also covers mental exhaustion.

Some relevant questions: How much sleep am I getting consistently? Am I waking up in pain? Did I get enough sleep last night? Do I need a nap? Can approach this [situation/ interaction/ care task] with the energy that it deserves? Am I responding now in a way that I would have responded this morning?