The smell of fresh cut grass (if it doesn’t give you hayfever).

The whipper snipper buzzing in front of the house down the street (as long as it’s not before 10am).

As we move towards the summer solstice, the longer days are  welcomed (as long as the sun doesn’t put a glare on the television forcing you to close the blinds). These are all welcoming summer signs.

While this is tongue-in-cheek, the irritability the summer sun provokes is more than just a social experiment. 

There have been studies around the world dedicated to people’s attitudes, crime rates and heat. 

Most studies have a magic number. It’s about the 26 degree mark.

This is when, studies believe, crime is likely to spike. Any hotter and people often stay inside, any cooler and the crime rates remain on the norm.

The studies have tried to find a correlation between heat and crime.

However, so many of them contradict each other. 

Some argue those countries closer to the equator have more crime.

They also have poverty, low educational outcomes, political issues and drug problems.

One theory carries some weight. People can become more agitated in the heat because adrenaline and testosterone levels rise in the warmer temperatures.

Another popular theory is that crime is committed when more people are gathered in a public space. Again, this makes sense.

Combine irritability and crowded spaces and throw in a few tipsy or drunk patrons and you are bound to get an “interesting” result.

And then you can add in the silly season. Christmas tends to make everyone testy at some point.

Whether it’s waiting longer in line at the shop, hearing the same Christmas carol for the fifth time that day or dealing with the pressures of extended family –  we only need one small thing to make us a tad cranky.

Health experts suggest staying hydrated and try to get eight-hours of sleep.

What we really need to demonstrate is patience and mindfulness.

Be aware that if you can get cranky in the heat it’s likely your family, friends and colleagues do as well.