How to Manage the Stress of Moving

It’s no secret that moving is stressful. For one thing, there is an avalanche of tasks that have to be performed in a fairly short time frame. Then, there is the emotional aspect of moving. 

Every move involves sifting through belongings to some extent. Whether it’s photos, books, or dishes, the things we have in our home are a storehouse of memories which can bring up a range of feelings.

You don’t want the stress of moving to get the best of you, though. There are a lot of ways you can ease the stress of moving and make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well.

Stay Focused on Your Health

It’s easy to let moving take over your life.  Sometimes you just want to power through so that things get done. Don’t push yourself too hard, though, or you may pay the price by getting sick.

First and foremost, you have to be vigilant in prioritizing your health. Here are a few ways to ensure your wellbeing is top-of-mind:

• Keep your medical appointments.
• Make sure you are taking all of your prescribed medications and doctor-recommended vitamins.
• Continue with your normal exercise regimen. Exercise relieves stress and helps you get better sleep. That’s double-whammy you don’t want to miss!
• Eat nutritious food and eat enough of it. That will keep your immune system from taking a hit.
• Take time for relaxation, and continue to do the things that you enjoy.
• Above all, be sure to get enough rest.

Try Relaxation Techniques

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn some relaxation techniques. You can try deep breathing exercises or do some guided meditations.

When we get stressed, we tend to take short, shallow breaths. By slowing your breathing and doing “belly breaths,” you can slow your stress response.

To do belly breaths, place your hand on your upper abdomen, under your rib cage. Inhale through your nose and count to four as you allow your belly to expand. Your belly will flatten as you exhale. If you do even three rounds of belly breaths, you’ll feel more relaxed.

Apps, such as Headspace or Calm, offer simple guided meditations that you can do in about 10 minutes. Both Headspace and Calm have paid versions, but you can do a lot of meditating on just their free versions. Search for ‘guided meditations’ on YouTube, and you’ll find a ton of videos there as well.

Break Large Tasks into Smaller Actions

Moving is a huge endeavor, and it can seem overwhelming if you think of it as one big job. The way to make it manageable is to break it down into smaller chunks.

One way to do that is to write a list of all the different types of things that need to be done for your move. Start with larger categories (find a new home, sell my home), and work your way down to smaller tasks.

For example, the category of “sell my home” could be broken down like this:

• Find a realtor
• Clean my house
• Get rid of old junk
• Get home repairs done
• Clean up the yard

Those categories are still huge. Break them down further. “Get rid of old junk” might look like this:

• Gather boxes, markers, and tape.
• Label some boxes: Donate, Keep, Trash, Recycle
• Schedule two one-hour sessions to declutter your kitchen.
• Ask a friend to come and help.

The idea is to break the jobs down into manageable tasks that you can accomplish in a fairly short amount of time.  You’re still getting it all done, but you won’t exhaust yourself in the process.

A spiral bound notebook or legal pad might be helpful for this.  There are also task-management apps, such as Remember the Milk and Trello that can help keep you organized.

Ask Others for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Start with family and friends.  They can help you think through how to break down tasks, make necessary calls, and start sorting and packing some of your things.

It’s important to have others involved in the process. Not only can it ease the load of work, but having social interaction is good for your mental health.

You can also work with a senior move manager. A senior move manager can help oversee the whole moving process or help with certain parts of it.  They are invaluable for making the moving process less stressful.

If you’re looking for ways to keep stress down during your move, take a look at our services page, or give us a call at 216-381-7418. We’re here to help!