Why am I always angry? 7 reasons that may explain your lack of patience

We’ve all had one of those days when nothing seems to go right. There is so much going wrong at home, at work and in relationships that we feel extremely irritated, without the slightest patience for small day-to-day problems.

This happens because, in these situations, we are already at our limit – then, even a little lady who accidentally cuts the line at the bakery can be enough to make us burst for good.

However, being grumpy once in a while is different from being angry all the time. This feeling hinders our productivity and our relationships, preventing us from enjoying the good times. Not to mention, of course, that bad moods affect our physical health as well.

If this is your case, here are 7 reasons that could be the cause of all this bad mood and also some tips on how to overcome this problem:

1. Something is bothering you

Sometimes, the bad mood that seems to arise absolutely from the beyond does have a reason, but it is a little hidden and we can’t identify it at first. Most people struggle to understand exactly what they are feeling and how to best express the problem. The result of this is a wave of unexplained bad temper.

In this case, a good idea to understand what’s going on inside you is to talk to a trusted friend, or even your mother, until you feel better, without trying to find a logic for your feelings.

2. You are hungry or have had inappropriate meals

The irritation that strikes some people when they are hungry is not coolness. It can even happen even after you’ve eaten if your meal wasn’t very healthy.

Ultra-processed or high-sugar foods may at first stop hunger, but they do not provide the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body and mind.

Plus, these foods can cause a blood sugar spike, which raises insulin in your blood and makes you feel hungry again shortly after eating — and making you cranky. The tip, in this case, is to give preference to foods rich in fiber, proteins, vitamins and minerals, leaving the industrialized ones aside.

3. You’re not getting enough sleep

When we are sleep deprived, our mind does not have enough energy to deal with problems and people in general. With this, it is very easy to be short-tempered and explode in situations that might not be so serious after all.

It is during sleep that our body is able to reinvigorate itself both physically and emotionally, so it is essential to sleep between 7 to 8 hours a night.

4. You’re waking up at the wrong time

Most of us need to wake up early and fulfill our work and study obligations during business hours, as this is how most of society works. Despite this, not everyone has the same biological clock, and the cause of your constant bad mood could be when you wake up.

Evening or night people may feel very irritable in the morning, becoming unproductive, unfocused and moody. If this is your case, the ideal solution would be to adjust your routine so that you can sleep and wake up a little later.

However, this is not the reality for most people. In that case, all you can do is try to go to bed earlier and find a morning habit that helps you stay more centered, like practicing a few minutes of meditation.

5. You are introverted or very sensitive to your environment

People who are introverted or who are very sensitive to environmental stimuli, such as lights and sounds, have one thing in common: their energy simply runs out if they have to interact with too many people or stay in a very busy place. As a result, they run out of patience and feel irritated.

If this is your case, try to find small breaks in your routine to be alone for a few minutes, put your thoughts in order and recover your physical and mental energy.

6. Your breathing is unbalanced

Breathing is so automatic that we sometimes forget that there are different ways to do it. When we are stressed and anxious, for example, we tend to breathe out longer than we breathe in, causing an imbalance.

Keeping the air in and out for the same duration helps to calm the mind and emotions, reducing irritability. So, in stressful situations, remember to pay attention to your breathing.

7. Your joints are locked

In addition to health problems like arthritis and osteoarthritis, lack of exercise, poor diet, dehydration and suppressed emotions can make your joints stiffer.

This symptom is the result of inflammatory processes in these regions of the body, which also end up affecting our mental health. Therefore, practices such as stretching and yoga are often beneficial in calming our emotions.

Be patient with yourself: we all have bad days, and sometimes it’s practically impossible to keep a smile on your face all the time. Breathe, take your time, try to get a little away from the source of irritation, and move on.

If none of this resolves, it is important to seek professional help from a doctor or psychologist. Sometimes, chronic bad mood can actually be dysthymia, a psychiatric illness that must be treated.