8 Tools To Eliminate Irritability

By Carolyn Flynn

We’ve all had those days when we feel irritable. The littlest of things are ripe for conflict. We get into fights with our spouse and yell at our children. Our family, friends, and co-workers annoy us. Everything seems to be difficult and life in general feels miserable.

This unpleasant feeling is our body’s way of telling us that something is out of balance in our emotional, physiological, or relational life. Irritability can come from a variety of sources including fatigue, hunger, hormone imbalance, vitamin D deficiency, low-blood sugar, and emotional stress.

Most of the time we can turn our irritability around with some good self-care and nurturing. But sometimes irritability is trying to get our attention to take care of medical or emotional problems that need professional care. Here are some guidelines for keeping irritability at bay. Read the rest of this entry »


Carolyn Flynn is a Relationship Expert and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.

Bathroom Break Benefits

By Carolyn Flynn

Having to stop and leave what you are doing to go to the bathroom can feel like an annoying inconvenience and waste of time. But today I’m going to tell you why bathroom breaks are a wonderful gift to your body, mind, and soul. After reading this you’ll celebrate every time your body gives you that special little signal.

Bathroom breaks teach us to take breaks in life. When our bodies are ready to release the waste it no longer needs it forces us to stop whatever we are doing to take care of it. This can be irritating when you’re watching TV or trying to meet a work deadline. But this bathroom break is very beneficial to you.

Physiologically your body empties out toxins and chemical waste making your body feel clearer and more energized. Stepping away from whatever you were focusing on to go to the bathroom mentally frees your mind to take a break from thinking. This change in environment provides a change in scenery and visual stimulation. Taking a break rejuvenates your mind making you more creative and productive when you return.

Bathroom breaks also allow you to regroup your thoughts and evaluate what you are working on. It is an easy and healthy way to step back and see your work from a different prospective. Your bathroom break gives you a chance to generate creative and effective solutions to the projects you are working on and the problems you are facing. It can also re-energize yourself to turn off the TV and go do something creative, productive, or fun.

Walking to the bathroom increases the oxygen and blood flow to your brain and body making you more alert and clear headed. The movements of sitting, standing, and walking move and stretch your bones and muscles increasing your flexibility and energy. Moving your body increases your energy, alertness, productivity, and creativity.

Bathroom breaks force us to pause and spend a moment in mindful meditation. Your brief exchange with the toilet is a great time for deep breathing and peaceful Zen moments. Bathroom breaks can be a great time to slow down, calm your mind and refresh yourself making yourself more productive and energized for the rest of your day.

The best lesson bathroom breaks teach is a healthy pattern of releasing the old to make room for the new.

Physiologically our bodies take in food, process the chemicals and nutrients to give our bodies energy and cell development, stores what it may need for later, and then releases whatever is no longer needed or useful. This is a wonderful metaphor for how we should live our lives — take in what is good for us, hang on to what may be beneficial in the near future, and release or let go of all that is no longer needed or useful in our lives. Just as the body releases the old to make room for the new so should we in our minds, homes, and relationships. Release the old and no longer needed to give space for the new and the good to enter.

So as you can see, it’s time to release the belief that bathroom breaks are an inconvenient evil of being human. Bathroom breaks are a perfect time for rejuvenation, exercise, and meditation. Bathroom breaks are part of a healthy pattern of releasing the old and making room for the new and vital. Embrace this bodily gift and maximize the benefits to your body, mind, and soul.

By Carolyn Almendarez

I want to hear from you. Share how bathroom breaks have benefited you in the comments below.


Flickr photo by AdamCaudill


Carolyn Flynn is a Relationship Expert and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.