Hey L,
Ever notice that around certain people, or heading into certain events, you feel more on edge?
Maybe it’s the office party, the drive to your in-laws’, or that one relative who always seems to find the sore spot. Whatever the case, you’re fine all week, and then twenty minutes in, you’re short with everyone and not totally sure why.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
And this is a good time of year to pay attention to it. Because the holiday season packs a lot into a few short weeks: more gatherings, more family time, more travel, less sleep, and a lot of pressure to feel joyful and grateful on cue.
For many of us, that combination brings old tension right back to the surface.
Here’s what most of us miss: irritability usually isn’t the real problem. It’s a signal.
So what is irritability, really?
Irritability is one of the most common signs of stress. It shows up in the clinical descriptions of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related stress for a reason. And more often than not, it isn’t an emotion standing on its own.
It’s a sign that your system is running hot.
This is because when your brain senses a threat (whether that threat is happening now or just reminds you of something from the past) your body shifts into protection mode. Your heart rate goes up, your muscles tighten, your focus narrows, and your patience drops.
Recognize that experience isn’t the sign of a character flaw. Rather, that’s your stress response doing its job, just at the wrong time and in the wrong room.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário