Practice Patience

By Lori Hartwell

We have never had such a trying time in our lifetime with the outbreak of Covid-19.  People are scared, they no longer have their normal routine and are experiencing a vast amount of emotions that can leave one quick tempered, fearful, in shock or downright depressed. Social distancing and quarantining are adding more anxiety and the stress of the unknown can be paralyzing.

We all need to practice patience and empathize with people who may be in different stages of emotion. If someone is angry and yelling, remember they may be going through extreme feelings and this is how they are handling it. Practicing patience on all levels will help.  Patience is a virtue and requires emotional intelligence. Be happy instead of right.

Here are a few things I do to help manage my emotions.

  • Take deep breaths
  • Listen to music or an audio book
  • Read
  • Make something (cook or craft)
  • Write your thoughts down
  • Call a friend
  • Take a walk or go outside and get some fresh air
  • Play with your animals
  • Play a game
  • Create a routine
  • Turn off the news
  • Take a break from social media
  • Clean out a closet
  • Get plenty of rest

I like the quote by Joyce Meyer “Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.”

Lori hartwell - Renal Support Network - PresidentLori Hartwell is the Founder & President of Renal Support Network (RSN) and the host of KidneyTalk™, a radio podcast show. Lori was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of two. In 1993 she founded RSN to instill “health, happiness and hope” into the lives of those affected by chronic kidney disease. Lori is also the author of the inspirational book Chronically Happy: Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness and is a four-time kidney transplant recipient.

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