When the world isn’t swinging your way and the gears are grinding, there is a little trick that will help you to sort out the confusion, ID the issue and hopefully feel a lot better. Stop and spell HALT. When something is amiss and life is off-kilter, it is generally one of four things. Identify it, give it a name and fix the problem.

H: Hunger: Are you hungry? Haven’t had more than a cup of coffee all day? Eat! Or are you eating badly? Ten Cokes and a dozen hot dogs won’t cut it either. Your body is a complex machine. It needs fuel.

A: Anger: Are you angry? Is something stuck in your craw and pissing you off? Are you seething with resentment? Hurt? Did someone say something that you can’t let go? Find it. Think it out. Let it go!

L: Loneliness: Are you lonely? (You can be very lonely in a crowded room.) Talking to the dog or petting the cat just doesn’t cut it. We are human and we need people. Call someone, anyone. Smile at a stranger. Start a conversation. Exchange and communicate. You will always feel better for it. Invite someone to dinner. Our Invite Eight is the coolest: Click Here.

T: Tired: How have you been sleeping? Are you tired? Your body needs rest. Your mind needs a moment of peace. We have saved the T for last because it’s the most important. Take it down a notch and take care of yourself. Rest.