Dealing with impatience

• Are you impatient?

• Situations that trigger impatience

• Natural remedies

• Other ways to help

In the modern, high-speed world, waiting for others can be difficult for many people. Impatient people are normally capable and efficient, but get easily irritated and frustrated by others who don’t do things as fast as they do. They also tend to think, act and speak rapidly. Impatient people are normally quick tempered and as a result, can make others feel edgy, irritable or at worst, worthless.

However, impatient people normally don’t realise that they make themselves feel worse than they do anyone else. They put unnecessary pressure on themselves and find it almost impossible to relax. They also tend to be very accident prone, due to their hastiness.

Are you impatient?

If you agree with three or more of the following statements, you are likely to be an impatient person:

• Do you get irritable at co-workers and friends for being slow?

• Do you prefer to work alone?

• Are you a fast thinker and doer?

• Are you quick tempered, but quick to get over it?

• When sick, are you a restless patient?

• Are you fidgety?

• Are you a little accident prone?

Situations that trigger impatience

• Dealing with children

• Dealing with colleagues

• Dealing with adult family members

• Waiting

• When things don’t work - computers, cars, gadgets, projects etc

Natural remedies

• Natural remedies remedies such as the Bach Flower Remedy Impatiens can help an impatient person be decisive and spontaneous, but less hasty in thought and action. It can also help the person be relaxed and good-humoured with others and to cope diplomatically with irritating problems. Also, impatience often leads to tension. (Always read the label.)

• Try Rescue Remedy if you feel that everything has become too much and that you are unduly stressed by daily situations. (Always read the label.)

• Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for daily stress and anger associated with being impatient.

• Reiki is said to be effective in helping you deal with your impatience.

• The Alexander Technique could be beneficial in managing your emotions in a healthier way. 

• Body balance work such as yoga and shiatsu can help your body and mind connect in a way that promotes general happiness and a sense of wellbeing. If you can relax more, you’ll be less likely to be impatient.

Other ways to help

• Exercise every day so that you burn off your excess energy. This will make you less frantic.  

• Learn how to relax properly (see suggestions above) or just sit around for half an hour and try to do nothing!  

• Vent your feelings and laugh. Share your stories later in the day with a friend or loved one and choose to be amused by it rather than frustrated.  

• Do something completely for the fun of it, without regard to how much time it takes.  

• Live in the present. Walk aimlessly and notice what is going on around you, without thinking about what else you "should" be doing or where you "should" be.  

• Practise compassion. Not everyone is as quick and able as you, but you should treat them kindly.  

• Avoid negative people as much as possible. If you have to deal with someone infuriating, plan how you will react and how you will remain calm in advance.  

• Plan your time better so that you are not always rushing around.  

• Look at your schedule. What do you really need to do? Can you cross off a few items?