Hopefully I am not snappy and irritable too often, but sometimes there are just too many triggers in life.

This morning, I got up to find the mains power was off and I couldn’t get the trip switch to trip, if you know what I mean. The kettle broke, (probably the cause of the mains problem), and I then managed to burn the toast.

Once I had overcome these initial irritations, I urgently needed to sort out my daughter’s student accommodation for uni, as her offer was due to expire at 5pm. This became complicated, because she is back packing, and I can’t get hold of her and she can not get hold of the university. It took endless persuasion and many telephone calls, before the accommodation people would speak to me.

Following this, I then embarked on a short argument with my youngest daughter, who had the audacity to lecture me about being snappy. (Yes I am snappy but actually not half as much as she is). And of course I am still feeling a little out of sorts from swine flu or as my daughter liked to tell me, wine flu.

Sometimes don’t you just feel like you are going to go off pop! Several years ago I bought a book about overcoming anger and irritability. Not just for me you understand, but as a helpful prompt when working with clients. (Honestly) .

All things considered, now seemed like a good time to dig it out.

It is a good book – quite heavy going, with exercises and some really interesting case studies. Having spent a little time browsing the pages, I thought it would be useful to share some helpful, if not obvious tips,, which I certainly probably need to take on board and might come in handy for some other busy mums along the way.

What I found interesting, is that often the cause of being irritable, simply comes down to some very basic things which can be neglected when we are out of routine – like during vacations and school holidays. So I hope the following info helps.

Tips on how to avoid feeling irritable. (good for kids and husbands as well)

Routines – maintaining fairly consistent routines e.g. meal times, sleeping. This maintains a steady “circadian rhythm,” and avoids a permanent state of jet lag.

Exercise – we need activity and exercise and when we don’t get enough we get irritable.

Diet – eating lots of sugar rich food, which sends blood sugar sky high and then correspondingly low.

Drugs – routinely consumed drugs such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine as well as recreational drugs can devastate moods.

Sleep – Getting insufficient sleep on a regular basis is also not good.

Stress – having too much to do and too many pressures can take a severe toll on your moods. Illness – whether depression or physical illnesses – like viral infections – and dare I say it swine flu.

Social factors – arguments with friends, relatives and workmates, bereavement, separation and divorce or just feeling lonely are just some of the social factors that can affect our moods.