If you’re like most of us, it probably wasn’t very long ago at all. We are all so accustomed to the brisk pace of life, that when we are forced to slow down for a moment, we don’t know how to handle it. But learning to take these moments in stride has many benefits, both physically and emotionally.

“What’s so good about being patient?” begins Debbie Mandel, BellaOnline’s Stress Management Editor. “In stress-management, patience can make the difference between an inflammatory response that harms your body and enrages your mind and a relaxation response that stabilizes your glucose levels, blood pressure, digestion, breathing and happiness factor.”

Over time you can learn to manage your stress and begin to experience the benefits of patience. The key is to “fake it ‘til you make it.” At first you will have to consciously choose to practice stress management techniques, but over time, it will become second nature. Eventually, the situations that once induced stress will no longer cause you to experience frustration or tension. If you feel those familiar feelings start to surface, try some of these activities:

When it feels like you are standing in line for an eternity, remember time is subjective. Time really does fly when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? Likewise, each minute seems to tick by excruciatingly slowly when you are struggling, when you are heartbroken, or when you are worried. You want nothing more than to be through this trial and move on to happier, easier times.