Let’s face facts — every day is not the same. Some are painstakingly worse than the others, when you can’t help but feel cranky. You know those days when nothing really seems to go right, and all you can do is scream your lungs out (not literally, of course). That’s pretty normal, we’d say. But if you are cranky and snappy almost all the time, there’s a problem for sure. Also, remember this attitude is going to really cost you your relationships. Because no one really likes their friend or partner being irritable all the time.

1. Acknowledge that you are snapping at others

It’s quite easy to snap at someone, especially when they ask you why you are acting so cranky. But resist the urge to act defensively; don’t scare them away or be rude to them. Instead, acknowledge that you are being cranky, or try to be mindful of what you are saying (in case you don’t want to share stuff with others). Whatever be the case, not acknowledging is just going to make it worse.

2. Try and assess the reason behind your mood

It could be that a particular reason is bothering you, even if it is trivial. On some days, you might be grumpy but won’t know what’s bothering you. That’s when you need to practice some self-reflection to figure out what’s causing all this stress. It could be that you haven’t really spent much time on self-care. It could also be that you are hungry, and haven’t fed your body enough. Once you pinpoint the source of your cranky mood, it will be easier to find a solution.

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Yes, when you are irritable, you hate everything that’s happening around you. But if you fuel your thoughts, your irritability will only rise. That means your body will release cortisol in large amounts. Your heartbeat might also increase, and your blood pressure might go up. Trust us, it’s really NOT worth it. Instead, sit down in a comfortable position, take a few deep breaths, and calm your mind and body down.

• Try inhaling slowly to the count of three through your nose.
• Next, hold your breath for a second.
• Exhale slowly through pursed lips for a count of three.
• You will feel better for sure!

4. Take a break

A simple tip like this can make you feel better! Sometimes, we don’t even realize how much we overuse our minds and bodies that they cry out for help. That’s because our stress levels were touching the roof. When you find yourself feeling grumpy, take a short break and recharge yourself. Put your phone aside for a while, take a quick walk or listen to music. It will do wonders to calm you down!

5. Move around

There’s enough and more research to show that exercise doesn’t just help your physical health, but can also provide benefits for your mental health. Whether you suffer from anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, or even substance abuse, packing in some exercise every single day will help you. It will cause bring down your irritability, we promise! But just like everything else, practice it in moderation, because excess of anything is bad.

SHIJINA RIJESH