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Practicing Patience During COVID-19

Practicing Patience During COVID-19

We have all heard the saying, “Patience is a Virtue.”  It’s the ability to wait for something without getting angry or upset, and is a valuable quality in a person. With the COVID-19 virus continuing to spread, and more and more people remaining at home, our patience can be easily tested right now. 

“You might find yourself being pulled in various directions, from your kids wanting a meal to your boss needing you to complete a project immediately—your patience might be tried right now,” says Bridget DeFiccio LPC, Senior Vice President Integrated Health Services. “Being cooped up and not following your daily routine can be unnerving and cause frustration, but it’s important that we keep everything in perspective and treat others with respect and compassion.” 

Follow these tips to help with staying patient during these unprecedented times: 
woman practicing patience by relaxing with a cup of coffee
  • Relax. Just taking a few minutes to unwind or escaping for some alone time, can reduce stress and help you deal with others and yourself! 
  • Practice yoga or meditation. Studies have shown that yoga and meditation help improve cognitive-behavioral performance as well as aid with mood swings, depression and anxiety. 
  • Practice accepting your current circumstances. This may mean being stuck in your home or in a job you hate. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to change things if you need to. Rather, it means accepting your experience in the moment for exactly what it is — even if it’s unpleasant.  
  • Be playful.  If your kids are being silly and rambunctious, join them! Be silly, laugh it up! Being less serious at a time like this can elevate your mood and in turn, make you more patient with those around you. 
  • Practice listening. Listen carefully to what others are saying, rather than jumping to conclusions or tuning them out. Focus on understanding and empathy, rather than on formulating your response. 
  • Don’t sweat the small things.  If you don’t have time to clean the house, if your laundry is piling up, if you haven’t checked messages on email... stay calm, these things can all wait. They will get done in due time. 
father playing with his daughter

Let’s all work on having a little more patience with our loved ones, co-workers and ourselves during this time. In doing so, you will be able to invest meaningful time in your relationships without giving up or giving in. 

If you feel overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, our clinicians in our Counseling & Wellness Centers can help. They are available during this uncertain time. 

Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632 x9500) for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Sources:
Health.ClevelandClinic.org
PsychologyToday.com 
TinyBuddha.com