They say patience is a virtue and not everyone has the same amount. Our thresholds of what we can handle are different and it is tough to stay calm in some situations. For instance, if your kid is throwing a tantrum at the store or you are stuck in heavy traffic which is going to make you late, these situations can test your patience. Sarah Schnitker, patience researcher and associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, says being impatience isn't a bad thing but people who are chronically frustrated can experience more stress. This can raise the risk of health problems like cardiovascular issues.
She says some people are naturally more patient than others but also says, "we're not doomed to whatever kind of natural patience we have." She says we can improve our level of patience but it doesn't happen overnight. Here are a few of her ideas on how to increase your patience level.
She says to change your perspective. In technical terms it is called cognitive reappraisal. Look at the situation in a different way. Ask yourself what positives can come from this negative situation. This can help you pause in the moment to think rather than act, which can help you build patience over time.
Become aware of your emotions. Schnitker explains, "But first, you need to know what you feel." This way you are able to identify what you are feeling and why. This can help you in the future being able to assess your emotions and evaluate a situation.
Start practicing patience with small things. For instance, if the elevator is taking forever to get to your floor, work on staying calm and relaxed. This way when an intense situation arises you are able to use the skills that you have been working on and apply them.
Be more mindful and practice meditation! Many of us space out, forget things and waste time on our phones. Mindfulness is described as a state of living in the moment. It doesn't take much to accomplish this practice so put down the phone and live. Meditation will help you take a step back, breathe and be present.
Don't think this change is going to happen right away. There are many upsides to being patient. Those who have higher levels of patience often have the tendency to have more empathy. Plus, they usually are more satisfied in life, have higher self-esteems, as well as fewer health issues and a higher well-being.