7 Ways To Be More Patient (Even If You Feel Like You’re Losing Your Mind)

Do you quickly get frustrated? Do you have trouble keeping your cool? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you could benefit from learning how to be more patient.

Being more patient doesn’t mean that you have to become a doormat or put up with being treated poorly. It simply means learning better to control your emotions and reactions in challenging situations. Here are seven ways to be more patient.

Be Prepared

One of the main reasons we lose our patience is because we’re caught off guard by something. If you can anticipate potential problems or frustrating situations, it will be much easier to remain patient when they occur.

Before you do or say something, take a moment to think about the possible consequences of your actions. If you’re likely to regret what you’re about to do or say, it’s probably best to hold back. This can be not easy, but it’s worth it in the long run.

Don’t React Immediately

Don’t react right away when something happens that you don’t like or that frustrates you. It can be tempting to blurt out whatever is on your mind in the moment, but this rarely leads to a positive outcome.

Instead, take a step back and count to 10 (or 20 or 50, depending on how upset you are). This will give you time to calm down and think about how you want to respond.

Breathe

Just as counting, breathing is one of the most effective ways to calm down when you’re feeling upset or frustrated.

When you’re angry, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, your muscles tense up, and you start to breathe more quickly, making it difficult to think clearly and make rational decisions. By taking slow, deep breaths, you’ll start to feel more relaxed, which will, in turn, make it easier to be patient.

Focus on the Positive

When you’re impatient, it’s easy to fixate on what’s going wrong or what isn’t going the way you want. This will only make you feel worse and more likely to lash out. Instead, try to focus on the positive aspects of the situation.

For example, if you’re stuck in traffic, you could focus on having time to listen to your favorite podcast or that you’re almost finished with the book you’ve been reading. Switching your focus in this way can make a big difference in how you feel and respond to the situation.

Understand That Everyone Has a Different Tempo

We all move at different speeds and have other priorities. Just because someone isn’t moving as fast as you would like them to doesn’t mean they’re lazy or incompetent.

Try to understand where the other person is coming from and be patient with them. Chances are, they’re doing the best they can and would appreciate your patience in return. Sometimes, it’s helpful to remind yourself that the situation isn’t personal. Whatever the other person is or isn’t doing doesn’t have anything to do with you.

Distract Yourself from Negative Thoughts

If you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts or fixating on what’s bothering you, try to distract yourself with something else. This could be anything from listening to music to reading a book to going for a walk. The key is to find something that will take your mind off of the thing that’s causing you to feel impatient.

When you’re in the middle of a frustrating situation, it can be helpful to take a break, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will give you time to calm down and gather your thoughts.

If you can’t leave the situation, try to find a way to distance yourself from it mentally. This might mean focusing on your breath or thinking about something else entirely.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and accepting things as they are, without judgment. This can be a helpful way to deal with impatience because it allows you to see the situation for what it is without getting caught up in your emotions.

When you’re feeling impatient, take a few minutes to focus on your breath and pay attention to the sensations in your body. This will help you to clear your mind and be more present. You can also try mindfulness meditation or yoga.