7 Tips on How to Control Your Temper While Sleep Deprived ...

1. Tell People

One of the first tips I can give you on how to control your temper, especially when you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, is to simply admit to others that you are sleep deprived and this is why you are in a foul mood lately. Don’t be ashamed to admit it. Everyone can relate to that, so they will be more understanding and they will also give you the space you need.

2. Use Your Sense of Humor

Another way to avoid potential conflicts due to sleep deprivation is by simply using your witty sense of humor to get over any annoying situation. Tell some jokes and don’t forget to smile as often as you can! Keep yourself in a good mood, so you won’t be able to lose your temper too quickly. Even if some people might not find you funny, it’s always better to seem you’re a happy drunk than a rude person.

3. Take a Break

If you are able to do it and you feel like you don’t have the necessary energy to keep going without losing your temper and offending someone, try to take a little break. If possible, even take a quick power nap to calm yourself down. A 10 or 20 minute nap should be more than enough to feel a bit more rested and relaxed at the same time. Afterwards, you’ll be more rational and less irritable. If you’re not able to take a little nap, then just go outside and breathe some fresh air for a couple of minutes and you will feel more energized.

4. Take Some Time to Digest What People Are Telling You

If you’re feeling a bit irritated because you are extremely tired, try not to risk affecting the relationships with the people around you by snapping at them all the time. Listen carefully to what they are saying and take some time to really digest what you hear. Also, if you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask people to repeat or to rephrase what they’ve said. By doing this, you will diminish your anger and you’ll be able to see things more clearly.

5. Don’t Drive!

If you didn’t get enough sleep the night before and you’re having huge problems concentrating, then you should definitely avoid driving that day. You do know that sleep deprivation causes a lot of road accidents, so try to avoid driving to or from work as much you can. Ask a colleague to drive you home or take the bus. It’s better to be cautious in this kind of situation.

6. Be Careful in Meetings

When you are sleep deprived, you should pay extra attention to the way you’re behaving in meetings. Try not to doze off, but if this still happens and you can’t avoid it, ask a trusted colleague to give you a little nudge. Also, try to control your temper, so you’ll avoid looking unprofessional in front of your bosses. Before an important meeting you absolutely need to attend that day, try splashing some cold water on your face, so you’ll feel more refreshed and energized.

7. Be Aware of the Possible Reactions You Might Have While Sleep Deprived

You are the only one who can really understand your behavior, so that’s why you should know what to expect from yourself when you don’t get enough sleep. Be aware of the possible reactions you might have in those situations. Are you usually feeling depressed or anxious when you are tired? Are you having poor judgment skills or poor concentration? You have the answer to all these questions, so try to prevent any misunderstandings by anticipating your reactions.

These were my tips, which I hope will help you calm down every time you feel exhausted. Have you ever had any problems controlling your temper while sleep deprived? What did you do in that situation? Please share your opinion with us in the comments section!