How to Be More Patient

Having patience is linked with a host of health and recovery benefits. This includes being more mindful, less lonely and better able to overcome stressful situations and stick with goals. 

Simply put, patience is going to help you better deal with the ups and downs along your journey toward lasting sobriety. As you likely know, recovery requires lots of patience – with the process, with yourself and with loved ones.

So what if you’re just not a patient person? Many people in recovery aren’t. This is because you’ve likely spent a fair amount of time in “instant-fix” mode during active addiction. But here’s the good news: Patience is a skill that can be learned through practice – and these tips can help you get started: 

• Make yourself wait. Test your willpower with small tasks – whether you make yourself hold off to eat dessert or choose a longer line in the grocery store. 
• Embrace being uncomfortable. A big part of recovery is being okay with being outside your comfort zone. During these times, try to remind yourself that these feelings are temporary and that being impatient about your circumstances won’t help.
• Just breathe. Inhale for a count of 7 and exhale for a count of 8 – this simple breathing exercise can help you slow down and tap into your patient side.
• Find a healthy release for your emotions. Even if you’ve mastered patience, you will get frustrated and lose your patience from time to time. And that’s okay – as long as you release that frustration in a healthy way. Some ideas: Take a walk, meditate, vent to a good friend, or distract yourself with a funny movie or YouTube video. 

Post-Treatment Support for Men & Women

At Haus Recovery, we provide our clients with continued support as they transition from a secure recovery environment to sober life filled with daily stressors and tension. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.