Have you ever stopped to wonder how much time we spend waiting throughout our lifetimes? Whether it’s waiting in lines, waiting for appointments, waiting for a friend, or waiting for food, we all experience this somewhat frustrating phenomenon.

But just how much of our lives are spent waiting? Let’s find out.

Methodology

Before we dive into the results, let’s take a look at how we arrived at them. To calculate the amount of time we spend waiting, we first needed to define what constitutes waiting.

For the purposes of this study, we defined waiting as any time spent idle or inactive while anticipating a specific event or activity. This includes waiting in lines, waiting for appointments, waiting for transportation, waiting for food or drinks, waiting for friends or family members, and any other time spent waiting for something to happen.

We then gathered data on the average amount of time spent waiting in various situations.

This data was sourced from a number of different studies and surveys conducted in the United States and Europe, as well as anecdotal evidence and personal experience.

With this data in hand, we were able to calculate the total amount of time spent waiting over the course of an average lifetime.

It’s worth noting that these calculations are based on averages and should be taken as estimates rather than exact figures.

The Results

So, just how much of our lives are spent waiting? Here’s a breakdown of the average time spent waiting in various situations:.

Waiting in Lines

According to a study by Queue-it, the average person spends a total of 6 months waiting in line over the course of their lifetime.

This includes time spent waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for amusement park rides, waiting to enter sporting events or concerts, and waiting in other public settings.

Waiting for Appointments

A study by Vitals found that Americans wait an average of 19 minutes and 16 seconds to see a doctor.

Assuming the average person sees a doctor once a year from the ages of 18 to 80, this adds up to a total of 14.2 days spent waiting for appointments over the course of a lifetime.

Waiting for Transportation

According to a study by the American Public Transportation Association, the average person spends 43 minutes per day traveling by car or public transit.

Assuming this daily commute begins at age 18 and continues until age 60, that’s a total of 3.7 years spent waiting for transportation.

Waiting for Food or Drinks

A survey by the online food ordering platform Foodler found that Americans spend an average of 40 minutes per day waiting for food and drinks.

Assuming this time is spent waiting in line at cafes, restaurants, and fast food chains, the total time spent waiting for food and drinks over a lifetime comes to 2.8 years.

Waiting for Friends and Family

Assuming an average of 15 minutes per week spent waiting for friends or family members, the total time spent waiting in this manner comes to 3.7 months over a lifetime.

Conclusion

So how much time do we spend waiting over the course of our lives? Here’s a summary:.

Waiting in Lines: 6 Months
Waiting for Appointments: 14.2 Days
Waiting for Transportation: 3.7 Years
Waiting for Food or Drinks: 2.8 Years
Waiting for Friends and Family: 3.7 Months

In total, this adds up to approximately 4.1 years spent waiting over the course of an average lifetime.

That’s a significant amount of time, and it begs the question of how we can best utilize this waiting time to increase productivity, relaxation, or whatever we desire.