H.A.L.T. the sugar addiction!  The little slogan is really good advice for resisting the lure of whatever has taken too big a foothold in our lives.  We discussed the “H” yesterday — don’t get too hungry, because low blood sugar and screaming hunger hormones make listening to reason difficult and falling easy.

The second letter, “A” stands for anger. Don’t get too angry.  When you are emotional and stressed, your resistance level is at rock bottom.  Besides that, reaching for a candy bar to deal with your anger is not a lot different than the response of alcoholics who reach for the bottle. Neither one solves anything.

What is making you mad?  And is it really that driver who is going too slow in the fast lane, or is it something that happened before you left home?  Next time you are upset, don’t automatically get out the chips.  Instead, realize it is just a feeling — not the end of the world.  What is really making you feel this way?  What can you do about it?  What can change?

Sometimes we are angry because of things over which we have no control — but we can always change our own attitude.  Focusing on what you have and the positive things in your life instead of the tired old drumbeat of, “It’s not fair. I don’t deserve this,” can change the very flavor of your life.

There are a lot of anger-management techniques available to you, like deep breathing, visualizing a peaceful place, and listening to calming music.  And here’s a good one — exercise!  When you get upset, take out your angst on the treadmill or take a long walk.  When you finish, you will have calmed down and have upped the “good guy” hormone glucagon which tells your body to burn fat.  Much better than having a long-lasting rush of the “pack the fat around the middle” stress hormone, cortisol. As you walk, your head will clear and you will be seeing the situation more objectively. Pray as you walk, and your soul will be soothed at the same time your blood pressure comes down.

Disappointments come, plans fail, people mess things up for us.  We have to expect it. After all, we aren’t in Heaven yet. If we think the streets here on earth should be paved with gold and find instead we’re traveling on gravel, we’re bound to be disappointed and angry.  Plan ahead and have a better way to deal with anger and stress ready for when the inevitable happens.

Look for real answers — and don’t get too angry!

Eating to live and living for Christ,
Susan Jordan Brown