Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistorySignsCausesTypesImpactCopingHow to Overcome Destination Anxiety
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
Signs
Causes
Types
Impact
Coping
How to Overcome Destination Anxiety
Close
Destination anxiety refers to the belief thathappinessis waiting for you at some point in the future when you attain something. This can be a new job, relationship, material possession, or anything else that you believe will make you happy.
The problem with this way of thinking is that it leads to a feeling of dissatisfaction with your current life and a constant yearning for something more. This can cause immense amounts ofstress and anxiety, as well as prevent you from enjoying the present moment.
If you live with destination anxiety, it is essential to realize that happiness is not something that you need to wait for. It is something that you can find right now, in the present moment. By learning toappreciate what you haveand finding contentment in the here and now, you can start to reduce your anxiety and stress levels.
Additionally, it is important to remember that nothing in life is guaranteed. Even if you do achieve your goals, there is no guarantee that you will be happy. So, instead of chasing after happiness, focus on enjoying the journey and living your life to the fullest.
History of Destination Anxiety
People Often Live in the Past or Future
Signs of Destination Anxiety
There are several signs that you may be living with destination anxiety.
Mindful MomentNeed a breather? Take this free9-minute meditation focused on being present—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.
Mindful Moment
Need a breather? Take this free9-minute meditation focused on being present—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.
What to Do When Life Feels Out of Control
Causes of Destination Anxiety
There are several different causes of destination anxiety:
‘I Hate Myself’: 8 Ways to Combat Self-Hatred
Types of Destination Anxiety
There are two main types of destination anxiety: internal and external.
What You Can Do to Cope With Anxiety
Impact of Destination Anxiety
Destination anxiety can have a negative impact on your life in several ways:
“I’m Not Good at Anything:” How to Combat Low Self-Esteem
Coping with Destination Anxiety
There are several things that you can do in order to cope with destination anxiety:
‘I Hate My Life': What to Do and How to Cope
There are several steps that you can take in order to overcome destination anxiety:
How to Overcome Anxiety
A Word From Verywell
Destination anxiety is a common problem that can have a negative impact on your life. However, there are things that you can do to overcome it. By following the steps above, you can start to overcome destination anxiety and live a happier life.
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crocq MA.A history of anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015 Sep;17(3):319-25. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/macrocq. PMID: 26487812; PMCID: PMC4610616.Csikszentmihalyi M, Lebuda I.A Window Into the Bright Side of Psychology: Interview With Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Eur J Psychol. 2017 Nov 30;13(4):810-821. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v13i4.1482. PMID: 29358990; PMCID: PMC5763465.NIH.Mindfulness for Your Health.Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ.Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1041-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 13. PMID: 21802619; PMCID: PMC3679190.Hansenne M.Valuing Happiness is Not a Good Way of Pursuing Happiness, but Prioritizing Positivity is: A Replication Study. Psychol Belg. 2021 Nov 10;61(1):306-314. doi: 10.5334/pb.1036. PMID: 34824861; PMCID: PMC8588931.Gupta M, Sharma A.Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Jul 6;9(19):4881-4889. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4881. PMID: 34307542; PMCID: PMC8283615.MacInnes DL.Self-esteem and self-acceptance: an examination into their relationship and their effect on psychological health.J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006;13(5):483-489. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00959.x
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crocq MA.A history of anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015 Sep;17(3):319-25. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/macrocq. PMID: 26487812; PMCID: PMC4610616.Csikszentmihalyi M, Lebuda I.A Window Into the Bright Side of Psychology: Interview With Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Eur J Psychol. 2017 Nov 30;13(4):810-821. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v13i4.1482. PMID: 29358990; PMCID: PMC5763465.NIH.Mindfulness for Your Health.Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ.Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1041-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 13. PMID: 21802619; PMCID: PMC3679190.Hansenne M.Valuing Happiness is Not a Good Way of Pursuing Happiness, but Prioritizing Positivity is: A Replication Study. Psychol Belg. 2021 Nov 10;61(1):306-314. doi: 10.5334/pb.1036. PMID: 34824861; PMCID: PMC8588931.Gupta M, Sharma A.Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Jul 6;9(19):4881-4889. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4881. PMID: 34307542; PMCID: PMC8283615.MacInnes DL.Self-esteem and self-acceptance: an examination into their relationship and their effect on psychological health.J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006;13(5):483-489. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00959.x
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Crocq MA.A history of anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015 Sep;17(3):319-25. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/macrocq. PMID: 26487812; PMCID: PMC4610616.Csikszentmihalyi M, Lebuda I.A Window Into the Bright Side of Psychology: Interview With Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Eur J Psychol. 2017 Nov 30;13(4):810-821. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v13i4.1482. PMID: 29358990; PMCID: PMC5763465.NIH.Mindfulness for Your Health.Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ.Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1041-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 13. PMID: 21802619; PMCID: PMC3679190.Hansenne M.Valuing Happiness is Not a Good Way of Pursuing Happiness, but Prioritizing Positivity is: A Replication Study. Psychol Belg. 2021 Nov 10;61(1):306-314. doi: 10.5334/pb.1036. PMID: 34824861; PMCID: PMC8588931.Gupta M, Sharma A.Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Jul 6;9(19):4881-4889. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4881. PMID: 34307542; PMCID: PMC8283615.MacInnes DL.Self-esteem and self-acceptance: an examination into their relationship and their effect on psychological health.J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006;13(5):483-489. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00959.x
Crocq MA.A history of anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015 Sep;17(3):319-25. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/macrocq. PMID: 26487812; PMCID: PMC4610616.
Csikszentmihalyi M, Lebuda I.A Window Into the Bright Side of Psychology: Interview With Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Eur J Psychol. 2017 Nov 30;13(4):810-821. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v13i4.1482. PMID: 29358990; PMCID: PMC5763465.
NIH.Mindfulness for Your Health.
Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ.Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1041-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 13. PMID: 21802619; PMCID: PMC3679190.
Hansenne M.Valuing Happiness is Not a Good Way of Pursuing Happiness, but Prioritizing Positivity is: A Replication Study. Psychol Belg. 2021 Nov 10;61(1):306-314. doi: 10.5334/pb.1036. PMID: 34824861; PMCID: PMC8588931.
Gupta M, Sharma A.Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with mental health. World J Clin Cases. 2021 Jul 6;9(19):4881-4889. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4881. PMID: 34307542; PMCID: PMC8283615.
MacInnes DL.Self-esteem and self-acceptance: an examination into their relationship and their effect on psychological health.J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006;13(5):483-489. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00959.x
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