Harvard University reports that the average American spends 118 hours per year standing in line. With an average life span of over 78, that’s 9,204 hours, or 1.05 years of our lifetime spent waiting to get coffee, groceries, tickets, to board a flight, to vote, and to get a license renewed at the godforsaken DMV. Meanwhile, other resources suggest that the number is as high as five years, depending upon where one lives, social status, et cetera.
For a large number of Americans, standing in line triggers irrational (unless comorbid with other mental health issues) anxiety, anger, and irritation and may incite other negative feelings. To put it plainly, being stuck in a queue at a physical premises can destabilize one’s mental and emotional wellbeing to varying degrees. To further aggravate the issue, people resort to unproductive habits to deal with the boredom, anxiety, anger, and irritability. Unhealthy coping mechanisms exhibited by those waiting in line feature activities on their mobile devices, namely the following:
- Doomscrolling: The compulsive habit of endlessly scrolling through negative or distressing news and social media content, often to the point of feeling overwhelmed or anxious. It’s characterized by a lack of intention and a feeling of being unable to stop. View more here.
- Hate following: The compulsive habit of endlessly scrolling through social media profiles that trigger feelings of irritation, anger, jealously, and judgement. View more here.
- Online gambling: Casino gaming and sports betting are associated with increased feelings of anxiety (view more) and anger (view more).
- Unhealthy gaming: Video game play can be associated with increased feelings of anxiety and anger (view more).
As indicated, all of the above can further exasperate negative emotions and are a bigger problem for those who truly struggle with anxiety, anger, problematic gaming, problematic social media use, and/or cooccurring mental health concerns.
Having noticed that negative emotions manifest (be it mild or overwhelming) when standing in line, you have come online in search of better ways to cope. As America’s leading virtual behavioral health provider we have provided practical and productive ways to get through each and every queue. Without further ado, let’s review!
5 Enjoyable, Practical, and Productive Ways to Manage Time Waiting in Line that Are Great for Your Mental Health
1. Mindful Meditation and Breathing
No, you don’t need to drop into a criss-cross applesauce position at the bank and chant Om while those in front-and-back call security. Standing meditation can be a great way to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. Further, standing meditation can be practiced in short periods, even as little as one minute. Mindfulness meditation in particular is very important for those who struggle with their feelings while waiting in line, as it encourages focused attention on the present moment, without judgment, to cultivate awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Accompany these moments of solace with deep breathing. Begin by taking long slow deep breaths, breathing in fully and exhaling fully. Breathe in through your nose and out through your nose or mouth until your breath finds its own natural rhythm. While some people are able to achieve this state on their own, some may benefit from some online research for how to get into a state of mindful meditation (w/deep breathing(. You can also connect to a specialist who employs the technique as a part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic practices. Schedule a session (click here) if you could benefit from a helping hand.
2. Stretching
Pretty much everyone has some sort of physical tightness and/or ache that can benefit from more frequent stretching. While the practice is often relegated to time in the gym, we encourage you to do some light stretches while standing in line as a productive way to bide time. A study conducted by Colorado State University confirms that stretching is known to increase levels of serotonin – a hormone that helps stabilize our mood, reduce stress, and makes us feel happier overall.
3. Use Phone to Progress on a Passion Project
You needn’t abandon your mobile devices entirely to cope with queues. Instead of unhealthy or simply unproductive activities, use your device to progress on a passion project or entrepreneurial (vs regular work) that you’ve been procrastinating on for years. Pursuing activities that resonate with you can provide an escape from daily stressors (i.e. standing in line) and lead to increased self-esteem, a sense of purpose, and a boost in overall well-being. Technology has enabled and empowered us with smartphone applications that allow one to create and edit from anywhere at anytime. Whether it’s architecture, art, interior design, music, photography, writing, or wide variety of other endeavors you can chip away at your goal each and every time you’re stuck in line. As time progresses, your brain will develop a positive association with waiting in line, because every time you do you get you closer to achieving an exciting goal.
4. Use Phone to Learn a Language
This is an easy one to get into that you can also use your mobile device to accomplish. Download a language learning app and select a dialect that you’ve always wanted to learn. This can be even more beneficial if you desire to take a vacation to a given destination where English isn’t the primary form of communication. Not only does this provide for personal growth, studies have found that language learning enhances cognitive function, boosts confidence, and can even help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
5. Work on an Issue by Reading or Listening to a DIY Guide for Wellness
In the introduction we indicated that overwhelming anxiety, anger, and irritation that one may feel when standing in line may be related to deeper issues and/or cooccurring mental/behavioral health problems. If so, have a DIY self-help guide downloaded on your mobile device that you can read or listen to until you’re up next in the queue. Ensure that the guide is specific to the issue that you struggle with to ensure greater relevance and effectiveness. As an example, someone who struggles with an unhealthy relationship with sexually explicit content can download our guide to overcoming porn addiction (click here). Stay tuned as we expand upon our downloadable self-guided offerings to help with other behavioral health concerns. Until then, do an online search for downloadable tutorials that apply to you.
Would you like greater insight into the negative emotions you experience on a too-frequent basis? Reach out to Kindbridge Behavioral Health right away. We will empower you with healthy coping tools that will make even a day at the DMV appealing (OK, maybe a slight exaggeration).
Wait No More, for Greater Mental Health and Wellness
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