VOLATILE
Word of the Week: VOLATILE
Part of Speech: Adjective
What's the Deal with Volatility? Are We All Just Walking Firecrackers?
Ever wondered what "volatile" means? Think of it as that friend who’s fine one moment and threatening to overthrow the government the next. In all seriousness, if you’re volatile, you’re prone to sudden, unpredictable mood swings—think Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but with less Victorian outfits and more eyebrow-raising moments.
That Tricky Volatile Situation
Not just people—situations can also have their 'volatile' side. Picture the stock market or your last family reunion, both of which could catastrophically change in the blink of an eye.
People Being Volatile
We all have those days—traffic jams, burnt toast, endless work calls. Anger is part of life’s rich tapestry, but if your emotional needle swings wildly too often, you might be labelled 'volatile'. Imagine it’s like carrying a loaded water balloon 24/7—one tiny poke, and sploosh! It's messy and can drench anyone within range.
What Can Cause This?
Some causes of volatile behaviour may include:
Bad Environment:
Neglect during childhood like being an indoor plant kept in the dark.
Repeated violent or emotional abuse, which can make docile adults into hot heads.
Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder—a mood rollercoaster without the fun descent.
PTSD:
Sure, it sounds like an acronym from the future, but it means past traumatic experiences are still throwing down challenges in your present.
Substance Abuse:
Relying on the bottle or pipe to handle life’s woes? Might just bring more volatility than a chemistry experiment gone wrong.
Identifying Those Firecracker Moments
Signs you might be more than a little ‘on edge’ can include:
Anxiety (yeah, the stomach-churning monster)
Heart pounding harder than a dubstep beat
Irritability (also known as “just don’t talk to me” syndrome)
Keeping it Cool When You're a Human Volcano
Seeing a healthcare professional can help you manage these emotional eruptions. The goal? Help you chill faster than a soda in the freezer. Treatments might involve:
Group Therapy: Because nothing says solidarity like sharing moods with strangers.
Individual Treatment: One-on-one sessions to unknot the emotional pretzel.
Anger Management: Learning to channel your Hulk into calmer responses.
Medication: Sometimes you need more than herbal tea.
DIY Measures to Stay Calm
Want to keep that volatile behaviour at bay? Try:
Relaxation Techniques: Yoga poses, meditation, or deep breathing (even if it feels like you're just blowing away your troubles).
Diary: Journaling your thoughts—detoxing your mind onto paper.
Mindfulness: Embracing the present and not just dreaming about that island getaway.
Healthy Habits: Remember, “you are what you eat”—so maybe less sugary snacks, more balanced meals. Throw in a dash of exercise to help diffuse anger like popping a balloon with a pin.
Final Thought:
Life's too short to spend it fuming. Find a healthy outlet for your emotions, laugh more, and keep your inner volcano dormant.