How to become a more patient person - Shape Your Life

Shape, Feb, 2003 by Winnie Yu

Traffic jams send you into a rage. Computer mishaps make you seethe. Long lines set your toes tapping. More than just irritation, impatience causes stress, weakens your immune system and forces your heart to beat harder and faster. It also impairs your ability to think clearly and perform well, says M.J.

Ryan, author of The Power of Patience (Broadway Books, 2003). Cultivating patience requires a change in outlook and behavior, Ryan says. Here's how: * Remind yourself that the world is not all about you, that you are part of a larger community. * To get perspective, ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen because of the delay or glitch. * Take deep breaths and count to 10 before speaking or acting. * Pay attention to how much better your body and mind feel when you are patient. * Avoid overwhelming yourself. Trying to do too much sets you up for impatience. * Be patient with yourself as you learn patience.