From Rumi to Mark Twain, here are some uplifting quotes to encourage you during times of worry and separation.

Do you stress out every time a loved one leaves the house? Do you worry excessively that harm will befall them or that you might never see them again? Do you call several times to make sure they’re OK?

When you have separation anxiety, being away from a loved one for just a short amount of time can trigger overwhelming levels of stress and anxiety.

Here, we’ve collected some encouraging quotes for when you’re experiencing high levels of separation anxiety.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”

~ Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet

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“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”

Roy T. Bennett, author

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“Even though I miss you so much, it comforts me to know that we are at least both under the same sky.”

~ Unknown

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“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian spiritual leader

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“Can miles truly separate you from friends? If you want to be with someone you love, aren’t you already there?”

~ Richard Bach, American author

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“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

~ Corrie Ten Boom, Dutch writer

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“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

A.A. Milne, British author (Winnie-the-Pooh)

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“Without fear, there cannot be courage.”

~ Christopher Paolini, American author

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“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

~ Irish Blessing

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“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.”

~ Mark Twain, American writer

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“Saying goodbye doesn’t mean anything. It’s the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it.”

~ Trey Parker, American writer/animator

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“Freedom comes from strength and self-reliance.”

~ Lisa Murkowski, U.S. senator

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“We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward.”

~ Isabel Allende, Chilean writer

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“Love is missing someone whenever you’re apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you’re close in heart.”

~ Kay Knudsen, American author

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“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”

~ Roy T. Bennett, author

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If you experience excessively high anxiety levels when you’re separated from a close loved one, you might have separation anxiety disorder (SAD). (Not to be confused with seasonal affective disorder, also abbreviated as SAD.)

Separation anxiety occurs in about 6.6% of the general adult U.S. population.

Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by an exaggerated anxiety response to either real or imagined separations from an attachment figure.

SAD typically manifests as extreme concern, worry, or even dread when you’re separated from this person. You may worry about harm befalling your loved one, never seeing them again, or being left all alone.

Why is separation anxiety most present in children?

Separation anxiety is developmentally appropriate in young children, with onset occurring about 6-12 months. This is a sign that they’ve developed a secure attachment to a caregiver, typically a parent.

However, this anxiety should eventually decline over time. If separation anxiety is still occurring at age 6 or 7, a child may be diagnosed with SAD.

SAD is one of the most common childhood anxiety disorders. Research shows that about 1-4% of the general pediatric population has SAD, but it occurs in about half of children being professionally treated for anxiety disorders.

Why do couples get separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety can occur in adults too. In fact, among all people with SAD, about 77.5% have initial onset in adulthood, at an average age of 23 years old.

When SAD appears in childhood, the attachment figure is typically a caregiver. In adulthood, however, SAD commonly focuses on your partner. You may worry excessively that once your partner leaves, you’ll never see them again.

Separation anxiety disorder, like other anxiety disorders, is likely influenced by a mixture of several factors:

Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in treating separation anxiety disorder.

Mindfulness meditation, which has its roots in Buddhism, is also very helpful for anxiety disorders. It helps you develop greater insight and awareness and reduces your thoughts’ power over you.

A large analysis found that mindfulness meditation is beneficial for various psychological conditions and is particularly effective at reducing anxiety, stress, and depression.

You might also consider taking supplements and herbs for stress and anxiety, such as ashwagandha, valerian, kava kava, or green tea. Check with your doctor first if you’re taking medication.

Separation anxiety disorder is marked by an exaggerated anxiety response to either a real or imagined separation from an attachment figure.

SAD often manifests as excessive worry or dread at the thought of the person getting hurt or perhaps never seeing them again.

While SAD is developmentally appropriate in babies, this separation anxiety typically wanes over time in children who have healthy caregiver attachments. However, SAD can also begin in adulthood for many people.

If you think you might have SAD and it’s affecting your daily functioning, reach out to a mental health professional to begin discussing your treatment options.