Why do people pace when they get impatient?

Question

Why do people pace when they get impatient?

Answer 1

Activity of the body synergistically feeds Activity of the mind.

When I'm impatient it's because there's something I want to do and I can't figure out how to get it done.

Speaking for myself, when I am pondering a problem, I pace the length of my bedroom, the hallway, the kitchen, the living room, I pace and pace and pace.

The pacing makes me feel active.

The pacing makes me feel like I'm doing, something.

The pacing calms me down (agreeing with one of the other answerers).

If that part of myself which is frustrated with the mental impasse a problem has elicited asks the question, "Am I doing anything to solve my problem?"

I answer myself, "Yeagh. I'm pacing a lot."

Then my first part of myself will say, "Hmmm...I guess this is important to me. I'll exert myself and think about it."

Pacing of the body fuels Pacing of the mind.

When the mind comes to a decision than the mind fuels the body to act on that decision resulting in the resolution of the problem.

To conclude, I think pacing is an example of the symbiotic relationship between the mind and body : that fascinating paradox of being human.

Answer 2

Here is an incomplete list of elements contributing to "pacing" behavior and stress or impatience:

Pacing is a behavioral symptom to stress. Impatience is the emotional symtom to stress or "the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.  The "demand" can be a threat, a challenge or any kind of change which requires the body to adapt."

1) Repetition of an action has a soothing effect and can relieve stress.

2) Ritualistic aspects of pacing. Stress due to change or the prospect of change causes us to feel as if we have lost or are about to loose control: Rituals have many roles in a culture including the aspect of bringing order and control in a non so orderly situation.

3) Cultural aspects in regards to impatience: Not all cultures pace when impatient. Not all cultures experience impatience the same way. Being impatient in some cultures is ludicrous. In our culture, the "pacing" symptom of stress is commonly noticed and broadly accepted as so.

4) Under stress, our adrenal glands release adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and we are therefore full of energy, ready to confront the stressful situation. Therefore, pacing is the physical manifestation of high levels of adrenaline and neurotransmitters all responsible for dealing with the imminent or imagined threat. Also, motion helps create more oxygen necessary in their production.

Of course, there are many more neuro-biological phenomenons contributing to our reactions to stress and science has made astonishing progress in this regard.

Answer 3

To work out the frustrations.  Burn built up energy and makes time pass faster.

Answer 4

It is an effort to try and calm themselves down.  By being repetitive, it can have a soothing effect.     That is why autistic kids tend to rock back and forth.

Answer 5

When humans face certain situations that bother them the flight instinct turns on. Being impatient is frustrating because of what ever is causing the impatience. Humans are creatures of action. They cannot sit back and let things happen. The brain knows impatience is not a serious threat but since we have to to something so we pace back and forth and that makes us feel in control.

Answer 6

on short...the movement helps your mind calm down