You are five vehicles back. It will take 20 minutes, an eternity, before you reach the drive-thru window, square-eye the pharmacy attendant, and get your prescription.
Do you hate waiting in line with your foot on the break, your black leather pumps rubbing against the floor mat, causing them to become a shade dingier?
What a bumper bummer!
You tell yourself to ‘RE-EEE-LAX.’
The engine does not mind sucking up gas in a bumper-to-bumper stand-still. But this waiting, which is sucking up your time like a vacuum, is the pits!
How can you make the turtle or snail-creep bearable?
Try habit stacking.
What is habit stacking?
Habit stacking is intentionally pairing an activity with a current habit to create new productive habits or second-nature routines.
One productive habit to stack while waiting is to read.
I see many people reading in their cars while waiting for the release of their kids from school.
Many of us find it challenging to begin and maintain certain habits that could be beneficial. We all know how easy it is to make and start New Year’s resolutions. However, continuing them for a year is difficult, especially with resolutions that include exercising, eating healthy, and other self-care challenges.
I recently tried to incorporate doing a couple of stretches before going to bed. Unfortunately, some nights I did them, but other nights I did not.
I need not say that the OOPS prompted no great disappointment or zest to rectify the omission once I was in bed.
For habit stacking to work, the habitual activity must trigger or evoke the activity one tries to add.
Perhaps I can stretch or run in place while brushing my teeth.
For those who want or need to drink more water, drinking a glass of water after brushing one’s teeth may be pretty stackable.
Habit stacking connects or stacks a specific behavior with a habitual or existing must-do activity. Most people brush their teeth at least twice a day, without fail.
What interest or action would you connect to this habitual function?
Is waiting for things and people an activity? Sure, it is. Waiting is a skill we all have to learn and do.
Idle time can give you time to fill in the dispiriting wait with something you need or select to do.
Keep a Bible, novel, journal, puzzle, or any other time-passing item in your vehicle or purse.
Waiting is a great time to balance your checkbook, write in your journal, read the Sunday school lesson, a newspaper, or make a to-do list.
Waiting is not so bad when you have something to do
I take an e-reader or book when going to the pharmacy or an appointment.
We can all benefit from habit-stacking
Like our parents and teachers said, “Practice makes perfect.” Practice is repetition; interest and repetition help create habits.
What about the new hand-washing habit due to the pandemic?
Many continue to wash their hands when entering their house after grocery shopping or being out in public.
What can you squeeze in, attach, or connect to a routine or habitual activity that will help your self-care?
Happy habit stacking!
Be well.