Interestingly, there are a mountain of both quotes and jokes about patience. Just so we’re on the same page, Cambridge Dictionary defines patience as “the ability to wait, or continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.”  I know I just lost quite a few of you but stay with me. So, by this standard definition, patience is about more than just waiting. It includes the ability to tolerate or endure difficult circumstances, delays, or even suffering without complaining, getting angry, or being disrespectful to others.

Admittedly, this is a tall order for a nation that stands in front of the microwave waiting for the bell to ring and then takes a bite knowing it’s too hot. We’re the folks who get IT on the phone when it takes more than 4 seconds for the website to load, and actually move on when the clock hits 10 seconds. We’re the people who start scrolling when we get in an elevator. And when it comes to waiting in line, forget it. This is all fact, and you know it.

That said, most of us have heard the words of Saint Augustine that “patience is a virtue.” But we just can’t seem to help ourselves, even though we really should. In the context of life in general and health in particular, patience is a powerful tool that allows us to stay calm, not allow ourselves to be distracted from what’s important, and exercise self-control. It’s with patience that we are able to maintain the mindset needed to make better decisions, persevere, and succeed in life, health, and living well.

Patience and Your Health

Endurance. Patience is the capacity to withstand hardship, stress, or provocation over an extended period. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, building strength, or adapting to a new lifestyle, health transformation takes time.

Calmness. When setbacks happen—an ache, a flare-up, or a delay in progress—patience helps us stay composed. Frustration and anger often create more stress on the body, while calmness allows us to stay on course.

Acceptance. Not everything is within our control. Patience is about recognizing what can be changed (your habits, your choices, your mindset) and what must be accepted (time, the healing process, the pace of progress).

Wait for It…Benefits

It was Jean-Jacques Rousseau who said that “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” In today’s language, we often say patience has its rewards. Absolutely, if you stick around long enough you will experience:

• Improved Well-being. Patience reduces irritability, stress, and negativity. This calmer state not only improves mental health but also supports physical health, since stress is linked to inflammation, immune suppression, and disease.
• Better Decision-Making. Impatience leads to impulsive choices—quick fixes, poor diets, or skipping healthy routines. Patience keeps you clear-headed, enabling smarter, more sustainable decisions about your health and lifestyle.
• Increased Success. Patience makes perseverance possible. Whether it’s sticking with a long-term fitness program, allowing your body to adapt to chiropractic care, or building new habits, the ability to stay the course results in lasting gains.
• Stronger Relationships. Health isn’t just physical, it’s social and emotional. Patience fosters respect, empathy, and positivity, making your interactions with family and friends more harmonious and supportive.

The 100 Year LifestyleⓇ Connection

If you want to live at 100% for 100 years or more, patience is a skill you must cultivate. Quick fixes and shortcuts may promise immediate relief, but they often sabotage long-term vitality. True health is built patiently—meal by meal, step by step, adjustment by adjustment.

When you see health as a lifelong journey, patience stops being frustrating. Instead, it becomes empowering. It gives you the strength to endure challenges, the clarity to choose wisely, and the peace to enjoy the process along the way.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “To lose patience is to lose the battle.” Set yourself up to be the victor! Find a 100 Year LifestyleⓇ provider near you today!