Teachers don’t like waiting. When your to-do list is as long as both arms put together, a delay in action is more than just frustrating: it’s mentally and emotionally distressing.

But, according to Jo Steer, a leader of wellbeing strategies, while we might not always like these moments of pause, we absolutely need them.

In the same way that we need water, food, sleep or air, our minds need that experience of non-doing. Waiting allows you to recharge, it allows you to accept and manage your thoughts and feelings. It allows your to find peace and happiness in ordinary day-to-day life.

It’s anything but wasted time. So the next time you’re waiting at the bus stop, dentist or coffee shop, try these three things:

1. Resist the urge to pick up your phone and start scrolling.

2. Notice any feelings and become curious: where do I feel this in my body? How would I describe the sensations that accompany this feeling: sharp or soft? Pulsing or aching? Observe the sensations with acceptance.

3. Focus on your breath, the sounds in the room or your feet on the floor. If thoughts barge in, just notice and accept that your attention has drifted, and take it back to where you were before.