Hello, my friends! Welcome back!!
I have a confession to make: Big surprise here to those people who know me – NOT! – but I realize over the years I have become easily irritated.
I am, again, going to be as transparent as possible. And as always, hoping to connect with others like me and trying to figure out a way to deal with or handle or even fix the problem, which has always been the purpose of my posts.
So, why do I get so easily irritated? And can I fix this?
Of course, one can become irritated with friends and family and loved ones and children and spouses and coworkers and crowds and sitting in traffic etc., for many different reasons. Okay. I should have just said one can become irritated with human beings. And I had to realize that is normal, actually.
But what if you become bothered and irritated over every little thing?
Oh and I think I get so easily irritated because I am constantly thinking, ‘why did so and so do that?’ Or ‘why did so and so do it THAT way?’ There is a better way. And I am always thinking that people are being so thoughtless, thinking the entire world revolves around them.
All this time I am thinking I am just a bitter person. There is something wrong with me. But after reading a couple of articles, I began to realize that perhaps my irritation really comes from simply not getting enough sleep.
So, maybe it’s not just that I am tired of people and life. Maybe I’m just TIRED.
I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in AGES! Even after having bought my brand-new bed a couple of years ago, I still don’t feel I am as rested as I should be. I toss and turn all night and have the strangest dreams. Well, the strange dreams is nothing new, but in the past, I have at least been able to sleep mostly through the night and feel somewhat rested. But not anymore. Also, I get up early in the morning to accomplish my tasks, such as writing this blog. 😊
And I end up napping later in the day, sometimes for a couple of hours. (Maybe I’m interrupting my own sleep pattern by doing this.)
So, regurgitating all this word salad to say that no wonder one would feel irritable if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep. I’m a real BITCH when I first get up, tumbling out of bed and stumbling to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of ambition 😂🤣 Nine to Five 🎶 – (actually, it’s the bathroom first to pee. THEN the kitchen for the coffee! 😁)
And it goes without saying that this can certainly affect not only your mood but your mental health. When you are tired, you can’t focus or concentrate. And other studies report that there could be underlying stress, anxiety and depression related to all of this.
I can see the connection now. It is almost like a circle or a cycle. Life is stressing you out. You feel anxious about something or circumstances. This could potentially keep you up at night and, therefore, cause you to not get the proper amount of sleep or rest. You are tired the next day, which can make you quite irritated with those around you, which in turn can cause even more stress.
And then you add possible depression on top of all that, which could be a cause for the irritability.
But let’s not forget about the potential or underlying physical symptoms associated with the stress and the anxiety and the depression, such as:
- A racing heartbeat.
- Excessive sweating.
- Nausea and even vomiting.
- The aforementioned difficulty concentrating.
- Muscle tension.
- Headaches.
Boy what a mess! The causes and the symptoms seemingly rolling into one big ball of caca. And it is true.
I wish to state that, of course, if you feel your irritability is extreme, then perhaps seeking the attention of a medical professional is recommended. There could be other underlying medical causes than just a lack of sleep, such as hormonal changes or low blood sugar levels or even chronic conditions such as diabetes or even heart problems.
So, yes see a doctor if this persists.
But what can you do in the meantime to help with your sleep or the lack thereof?
Simply saying get more sleep is not an answer. I mean, that is obvious. But what can you do to help you sleep better?
I know a lot of people who have taken to using supplements, such as melatonin. (Melatonin is actually a natural hormone in your body that controls your sleep-wake cycle.) I tried that and it didn’t work for me. I even tried sleeping pills, and I have to be careful with those because if I take two tablets, I am soooooooo drowsy the next day. Others swear by CBD oil.
I would suggest before taking any sleep aids, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN!!
However, rather than relying on over-the-counter medications and supplements, there are other things you can do to give you better sleep.
It has been suggested to turn your TV off about an hour before bed. And to do the same with your phone. Our eyes are especially glued to our phones all day long. The blue light from your phone screen actually inhibits your body’s natural melatonin.
And I am soooooo guilty of both!
However, what I have found that is beginning to work for me is actually having my TV on, but not actually looking at it. I set a sleep timer for my TV to turn off in about an hour. I find myself quickly falling asleep and staying asleep for hours.
Also make sure your room is completely dark.
Soft music has been known to help, too.
Try flipping your bed’s mattress, as well. Depending on the age and type of your mattress, it is suggested that you flip or rotate your mattress anywhere from 1 to even 5 times per year!
I realize I am only scratching the surface here when it comes to sleep. There are obviously other things to try in terms of getting a better night’s rest. And certainly reducing stress, as much as humanly possible, from your life is the way to go.
I hope some of these work for you. Better sleep means better concentration and better mental health!
But remember, if you feel that your irritability is out of control and you cannot cope or need to speak with a professional, then online therapy may be the way to go. You can do this in the comfort of your own home without having to get in traffic to drive to an office. Check it out by clicking on the link below:
That’s it today, my friends. So, until next time, please be safe and, as always, mentally well!
DEREK’S DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional, neither am I giving any medical or legal advice. If you are seeking help from a doctor or an attorney, please consult said professionals. These are my personal thoughts and feelings on the subjects discussed, and my blog is my own personal experiences and journey with mental imbalance. Thanking you in advance!
I do not own the copyright to any songs or videos listed here.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: There are products on this page. By clicking on the links, you will be redirected to that page at no cost to you. However, I will receive compensation if you purchase something (which I hope you do 😊).
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