Have you ever had one of those days when you feel so irritable you literally hate everybody and everything? It happens to the best of us every once in a while.
Whether you didn’t get enough sleep, your kids have pushed you to the breaking point, or you’re just sick and tired of everybody’s bullshit, there are times when you would just as soon throat-punch somebody than smile and say good morning.
On days like this, taking care of your mental health is important not only for your sanity but for the safety and well-being of those around you. Here are ten critical things to remember when you’re feeling that edge start to rise.
1. It’s OK to Feel Irritable
Nobody should expect you to be a ray of sunshine every single day. Irritability is perfectly natural. If you’re having one of those days when you feel like crap, acknowledge and embrace it. Don’t try to cover it up because you want to look strong. Allow yourself to experience your feelings.
If people can’t handle you at your worst, they don’t deserve you at your best.
2. Worrying Doesn’t Change Anything
Overthinking a situation doesn’t help you change it. In fact, excessive worrying can cause your mind to spiral, clouding your judgment and making it impossible to see answers that might be right in front of you.
3. The Voices in Your Head Might Be Wrong
Many times, we ‘re our own worst enemy. We let the negative voice in our minds fill us with self-doubt or allow it to bully us and breed self-loathing.
Sometimes you just need to tell your mind to shut the hell up. When your thoughts start spinning, ask yourself if you would say the things you’re thinking to a friend or a child. If the answer is no, then stop doing it to yourself.
4. There’s Nothing Wrong with Asking for Help
When you’re feeling anxious and irritable, remind yourself that you’re not a superhero. Trying to handle everything on your own will only exhaust you and leave you feeling bitter.
If somebody can help you, let them know. Whether it’s by taking your kids for an hour or listening to you vent over a bottle of wine, sometimes just a little bit of caring can make a huge difference. The people in your life who are willing to step up and give you a hand will have trouble doing so if you haven’t told them how.
5. Sometimes It’s Best to Be Alone
Sometimes, when extreme edginess strikes, it’s best to avoid people altogether. If possible, plan some time to be by yourself. A bubble bath and a good book can often do wonders for your attitude.
As an added bonus, staying away from people makes it less likely that you’ll do any damage by accidentally telling someone exactly what you think of them.
6. Perfection is Overrated
If you’re constantly striving for things to be perfect, you’re going to be disappointed. Learn to embrace life’s imperfections. Understand that progress is far more important than perfection.
Don’t try to impress people by putting up a facade of happiness and joy. Life sometimes gets messy, and that’s okay.
7. You’re Not the Ring-Master
Keep the phrase “not my circus, not my monkeys” in the forefront of your mind. Don’t let other people’s chaos, drama, or bullshit worm its way into your life. The less you get involved in drama that’s not yours, the happier you’ll be. Remember that someone else’s lack of planning does not mean it’s suddenly your emergency.
8. Saying No is Good for You
People-pleasing is one of the worst things you can do for your mental health. If you’re constantly putting other people’s needs before your own, you’ll quickly burn out or start to feel resentful. Learn how to say no when requests start feeling like too much.
If there are people in your life whose constant demands are sucking the life out of you, start slowly distancing yourself from them. If they’re truly using you, once you start saying no they’ll probably stop coming around anyway.
9. People Don’t Care as Much as You Think They Do
The truth is, most people are far too wrapped up in their own stuff to care about what you’re doing. Chances are you’re judging yourself far more harshly than anybody else is.
Try focusing on doing what’s right for you and stop worrying about what other people think. You’ll feel happier and far less irritable after making this change.
10. It’s Healthy to Let it All Out
When you’re full of negative emotions, don’t be afraid to let them come out. Journaling or keeping a thought diary is one of the absolute best ways to vent your frustrations. Sit down with a pen and paper (or your laptop) and write it all down. Don’t censor yourself and don’t judge the way you’re feeling. When you think you’ve run out of things to say, make yourself keep going for at least 10 more minutes.
When you’re done, you’ll not only feel better but you may have found a solution that was hiding just below the surface of your subconscious. If you’re worried about keeping your thoughts private, try releasing your negativity by burning the pages when you’re through.
Some Final Thoughts
Above all, remember that you are ultimately responsible for the energy you bring into your space. It’s perfectly acceptable to feel irritable and intolerant of others, but you’ll still have to deal with the repercussions of your words and actions.
If you’re feeling cranky all the time, there may be a deeper issue. Try cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, getting more sleep, and exercising to burn off nervous energy. If these things don’t help, and the feelings continue, a visit to your doctor or therapist may be in order.
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Originally published at blissquest.net