What Happens to the Mind When a Person Stands in Line — Explains a Psychologist 0 127

A psychology lecturer named at least four bonuses that people receive while waiting in line. The main thing is not to reach for the phone.

When religious people stand for several hours in line to touch a relic, they say that this is how they test their faith. Therefore, there are unlikely to be squabbles and indignation like "Excuse me, I was standing here."

On the other hand, lines at the passport office, at the clinic, or at the checkout are different. Among the "unenlightened," our patience seems to disappear quickly. It’s good if you can bury yourself in a book or smartphone, but the feeling that we are wasting our precious time is very upsetting.

But psychologists advise looking at waiting from a different perspective. It turns out that queues develop in us one very useful quality — self-control.

“Self-control is the ability to manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions when long-term goals collide with immediate temptations,” says psychologist Aishe Burchin Bashkurt from the University of East London.

In studies, at work, in relationships — everywhere where it is important to resist temptations, self-control plays a crucial role. And how well we cope with waiting shows how developed this quality is in us.

“Self-control creates a distance between impulse and action,” — says Bashkurt to The Conversation.

Let’s say you read a message that made you angry. But you didn’t rush to write an angry response; instead, you took a pause, calmed down, and thought about your words. This means your self-control is in good shape. Or the opposite example. A person is trying to eat healthily, but then they see an unhealthy dish and cannot resist. Here, there are problems with self-control.

“Even short delays, such as waiting before making a purchase, can cool impulses and help us set the right priorities,” says the psychologist.

In an interview and any other conversation, a pause before answering allows you to gather your thoughts and emotions. And here again, self-control is important to hold back and not blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

Different cultures have different attitudes toward queues. It is said that in the UK and Japan, queues are quite organized, while in Brazil, on the contrary, they are chaotic, more like a crowd. Perhaps it all comes down to differences in temperament.

“But those who constantly crave some stimulation are particularly irritated in queues,” emphasizes the expert.

Yes, waiting is often tiring; however, the psychologist advises rethinking your attitude toward this process. Here are four values that can be gained by standing in line.

Anticipation

Remember the joy you felt when you were getting ready for the theater or a concert, the enthusiasm with which you planned a vacation. According to the psychologist, anticipation enhances the joy of the upcoming event and helps prolong the pleasure.

So, while standing in line, anticipate and think about the good things that will happen afterward. Visualizing pleasant and long-awaited events makes waiting less burdensome.

Gratitude

If you are sitting in a queue to see a doctor and worrying about test results, think about what you are grateful for in this life. You may feel a sense of appreciation, and fear and anxiety will fade into the background.

A Useful Pause

Next time you find yourself in a long line, try to look at the situation from a different angle. View it not as an inconvenience but as an opportunity to rest, take a pause, and reflect.

“When waiting is associated with a sense of purpose, it gains meaning,” explains the expert.

Mindfulness

If you start to boil over while standing in line, the expert advises practicing mindfulness.

“Try to intentionally observe what is happening inside you and around you. This will help you relax and take control of your emotions,” explains Aishe Burchin Bashkurt.

Of course, all these tips do not mean that you should intentionally seek out queues. However, if it happens that you have to wait, make the most of that time.