The 6 Benefits of Developing Frustration Tolerance

A good part of the emotional and behavioral problems that psychologists work on when helping our patients have to do with low tolerance for frustration.

It is a phenomenon that not only causes discomfort, but also often leads people to self-sabotage and create unnecessary problems very frequently.

Fortunately, training frustration tolerance is possible: Here we will see what that is for, and several key ideas about how it is achieved.

What is frustration from a psychological point of view?

Frustration is the set of thoughts, emotions and feelings that arise when there is a big difference between our expectations and the consequences of our actions, leading us to live a worse experience than expected. It must be taken into account that when using this concept, emphasis is usually placed on its characteristics as an emotional response to a situation (that is, as an assessment of what happens to us), and not so much on the literal content of the thoughts that arise in us when experiencing this.

This phenomenon can occur on all time scales; both in the small actions of the day that we carry out in a matter of minutes, and in the projects that we have been working on for months. And of course, their way of expressing themselves is very varied in terms of their degrees of intensity.

On the other hand, in practice frustration is closely linked to other emotional responses such as anger or sadness, or to feelings such as disappointment and guilt, although each case is unique and all of these elements do not always have to occur at the same time.

Thus, it is frustration that we feel when after reserving a morning to work we arrive at lunchtime and see that we have wasted the time, and it is also what arises in us when after investing time and money in a professional project we see that we are not reaching the objectives we had set in terms of profitability.

Finally, it is worth clarifying that frustration is a complex psychological phenomenon. It is affected by many variables, such as age (frustration tolerance is absent during early childhood and develops as we enter adolescence) or the existence of psychological disorders, and the context also influences it. in which we live and our past experiences. However, those who have problems managing frustration are not condemned to suffer this discomfort indefinitely; From psychology it is possible to learn to better regulate that emotional response.

The benefits of developing frustration tolerance

These are the main aspects in which it is evident that a good level of frustration tolerance benefits us.

1. It predisposes us to adopt learning habits

To learn, we have to overcome the obstacles of the first training or study sessions in which we see ourselves very far from the goal and we have to adapt physically and mentally to new challenges. Thus, those who give in easily to frustration throw in the towel after these initial attempts.

2. It makes us better negotiators

To negotiate it is necessary to assume that the other person does not have to be receptive to what we say or propose at first. Thus, Having tolerance for frustration allows us to reach consensus, creating a conciliatory environment.

3. It helps us manage conflicts

Along the same lines as the advantage we have seen before, frustration tolerance makes it easier for us not to give in to anger as soon as we encounter someone with beliefs or interests that clash with ours.

4. Protects us from procrastination

Many people get used to managing frustration by going to what provides some immediate relief: not facing those tasks or responsibilities, leaving them for “another time.” Not falling into these dynamics allows you to do everything when necessary. and in the process enjoy better emotional well-being.

5. It makes it possible for us to learn from our mistakes

Frustration tolerance also involves adopt a distanced and neutral perspective and take note of what we have done wrong to ensure that it does not happen to us again.

6. Promotes the establishment of good self-esteem

For all of the above, a good tolerance for frustration reinforces a good level of self-esteem.

What to do to enhance frustration tolerance?

These are some of the psychological keys used in therapy to lead people to train frustration tolerance.

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Are you interested in having psychological help to manage your emotions?

If you notice that in your daily life you have problems properly regulating your frustration or organizing your life and not self-sabotaging, contact us. In PSiCOBAi We work offering psychotherapy for people of all ages, both in the modality aimed at individual patients and in couples therapy sessions. You can count on us in our psychology center or through the online format by video call.

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