Speaking of Psychology How to become more patient, with Sarah Schnitker, PhD
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Mar 11, 2026 
Sarah Schnitker, PhD, psychology professor studying patience, self-control, and virtue formation. She explains why patience is hard, how it develops across life, and the different types and contexts where patience matters. Listens to when patience can be harmful and practical cognitive strategies—like reappraisal, distraction, and mindfulness—to build a varied patience toolbox.
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Patience Needs Wisdom Not Blind Use
- Patience as a trait is virtuous but exercising it can be unwise if used to enforce passivity.
- Wisdom is required to choose patience versus courage depending on whether waiting or acting furthers moral goals.
Chronic Impatience Harms Health
- Persistent impatience or negative emotions can tax physiology and increase risk for chronic health problems.
- Schnitker links the buffering effect of patience to reduced chronic negative-emotion wear on cardiovascular health.
Start With Why Then Use Emotion Regulation
- Do identify your big-picture reason for wanting more patience to motivate practice.
- Then apply emotion-regulation tools like cognitive reappraisal, distraction, or suppression matched to the situation.