Avoid Making a Bad Situation Worse

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation that will only get worse if we approach it the wrong way, especially if we are wound up like a tight fuse and want to let out a torrent of abuse or violent behavior. Here is a good method for avoiding an explosive output and making a bad situation worse.

Steps

  1. Tell yourself to "halt."
  2. Each letter in HALT starts a word that may help you cope with situations:
    • H = Hungry. If you're hungry, find something to eat.
    • A = Angry. Are you angry? Walk away and cool off for awhile.
    • L = Lonely. If you're lonely, call a friend.
    • T = Tired. If you're tired, get some rest.
  3. Address the problem or situation after you have taken care of the HALT list.
  4. Never spread things. Don't spread "gossip, rumor, innuendos, unkindness, malicious words, or physical anger."
  5. Never go on and on about your problems. This will not only wind you up into a very angry state but it will make others very wary of you and they are less likely to find you reasonable and worth assisting.
  6. Don't interfere without reason. If it's a problem that someone else has, leave them to deal with it unless they ask for help. Adding your heated or irritated advice when you are feeling annoyed about their problem will make the situation worse and may possibly lose you a relationship with that person. Walk away and cool off and realize that the other person has to sort it out, not you. However the situation may impact you, use HALT to overcome the desire to interfere and work on something else in your own life for a time.
  7. Don't take things out on people you love or people who do not have anything to do with the bad situation. You are more likely to receive support and assistance when you are calm, rational and discuss the issues with others in such a manner. People generally want to help others but this desire disappears with irrationality, boiling anger and invective directed at them.

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