Economic stresses have led 60 percent of Americans to say they feel irritable, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Stress, fatigue and anger were other common feelings reported, all of which can cause you to always feel on edge.
Of course, economic stress is only one reason why you may be easily irritated. Often, several factors combine to leave you feeling crabby, mildly annoyed and ready to snap at the slightest nudge. Some common circumstances that can lead you to be easily irritated include:
"We often feel irritated and on edge because we are pushing ourselves to be something we are not, to do something we don’t want to do, or stop doing something we think we should be doing," says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and Director of Training of Sedona Training Associates. "In other words, because we're wanting to change what we are experiencing in this moment, we feel irritated about it."
How to Stop Being Easily Irritated
Although it may sound surprising, you can stop feeling irritable when you begin to welcome the feeling, and subsequently let it go.
"The simplest and fastest way to dissolve irritation is to welcome what you're feeling in this moment and let it go," Dwoskin says.
The Sedona Method is an invaluable tool if you often feel on edge, as it will teach you how to let go of your irritability and other negative emotions on the spot.
"It is also helpful to stop pushing yourself and just let yourself be as you are," Dwoskin says.
Indeed, irritability is often caused by over-thinking and resisting. No matter what the situation is that has you feeling irritable, if you let go of your feelings about it, and your resistance to it, you become free to just be in the moment. When you're truly living in the present, it's difficult to feel irritated because you're not focusing on the 'what ifs' and the long to-do list you have waiting for you later. Instead, you only have to think about the task at hand, which is usually much more calming.
Often irritability is also the result of trying to do too much, so if you're irritable it's time to take a step back, evaluate the priorities in your life, and shave off those activities that aren't contributing to your happiness.
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