Anticipatory Excitement or Restlessness.

You must have experienced that feeling of eagerness, of anticipation before indulging in something. Perhaps it's a trip you and your partner have been longing to take, the first date with a new partner, or even the completion of the work week. Anytime something exciting is approaching, you develop that excitement and eagerness that comes into your spirit. You're a little perkier in your walk, a little chattier with your co-workers, and you slant your eyes for a moment as your thoughts drift off and you start to fantasize.

There is certainly something about waiting that can be fun, but sometimes it can even lead to restlessness when you're trying to finish tasks. At work, you may fidget during meetings, daydream out the windows instead of being productive, or constantly glance at the clock in hourly anticipation of leaving the office. The anticipation begins to affect one's efficiency and productivity because all one can think of is the next thing that will bring happiness.

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Why Do We Feel Restless Waiting for Good News

I believe that this eager restlessness that is inherent in all of us is caused by the brain's reward system and the presence of dopamine. Dopamine is largely involved in the production of what we consider pleasure and driving us towards the achievement of rewarding outcomes. For anything we really want, as we continue to approach that goal, dopamine is released at a higher rate as a motivational tool to encourage the person to finish. But if there's too much, then the excitement and pleasure experienced from the pre-celebration dopamine makes it difficult to focus on anything else!

There is also another aspect of constructive anticipation which may be present here as well. This effect is seen where big events, whether good or bad, lead to a high level of arousal. It's your sympathetic nervous system that activates your heart rate, your breathing, and fidgeting even though you may not be consciously anxious. Your brain translates change and uncertainty as a call to arms and a call to get ready for action. Of course, constant alertness is not too suitable for work that has to be done carefully and with focus.

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Managing the Restlessness
If you find your anticipatory excitement spilling over too much into impatience and distractedness, here are some tips:

Schedule pleasant distractions. Remember to have some kind of treat midday with the goal of something enjoyable and not necessarily something big or luxurious; it could be talking to colleagues during lunch, watching a YouTube video, or playing your favorite phone game. This satisfies the craving a little and provides your brain with a small burst of dopamine that doesn't disturb the rest of your day.

Do some quick exercises. Having to attend several meetings in a day? Well, if you find physical activity in between to be doable, jog on the spot, do a few jumping jacks, squats, lunges – anything that can burn off at least some of that nervous energy! And, as long as you don't make it too long – it can provide an extra dose of energy and help you stay focused rather than distract you.

Enumerate the things that you wish to achieve prior to the anticipated event. Breaking down the process of the things that must be done before getting to the eventual enjoyment of the object minimizes such distractions. Often when setting goals, achievement of each goal provides a sense of accomplishment.

This time, tell yourself it's okay to wait; waiting is actually a part of the process of enjoying your anticipated experience. Research has ascertained that the majority of our happiness that comes from rewards is gained from the expectation of them. But don't be troubled by the heady exhilaration you feel when you're impatient – just take a moment to recognize that feeling, and return promptly to the task at hand.

A little bit of anticipatory excitement can help you towards goals and add some excitement to the mundane. When it tends toward restlessness, then it's better to utilize it constructively instead of vainly hoping that it disappears. You can adopt the eager anticipation strategy with a few changes to make it work in your favor rather than adversely affecting your life.