Moving can be a process full of mixed emotions. On one hand, it’s the beginning of a new adventure; it’s the first opportunity to explore and meet new people. On the other hand, it can propose a lot of change. Moving stress is a real thing and can be a natural result of all these mixed emotions.
In order to get settled into your new place quickly, it can be helpful to understand what makes moving stressful so you can be better prepared on the big day.
We aren’t by any means healthcare professionals, but we do know a thing or two about moving. At Arizona Storage Centers, we’ve seen it all. That’s why we can offer some solid tips to alleviate the stress so keep reading to find out.
Why is Moving Stressful?
What really makes moving so stressful? The fact of the matter is that there is no one cause of stress and is actually made up of a bunch of smaller things. This may vary from person to person.
Changes: Evey move carries some sort of change with it. You’re changing location, the layout of your home or maybe even your friends and job. These changes are unavoidable and may even be a little scary. It’s okay to feel a little anxious at the thought of a big change, even if you know it’s for the best.
Money: Of course, money is an issue for most of it. It may be the biggest pain for some. Most of the time, moving your things is not something you can do alone, so you may have to hire a moving company. Planing out a budget can help alleviate some of this stress so you know how much to account for.
Time: Moving takes up so much time! Whether you’re moving out of state, to the other side of the world, or just down the street, it takes time to get your new possessions settled into your new place. This isn’t a restful time and you may lose sleep over it. Having to put your life on hold while you get your move sorted out can be stressful, especially in light of the major changes that you’re making.
Know the Symptoms of Stress.
Small amounts of stress can be beneficial. Stress helps us buckle down and meet deadlines. However, stress can easily spiral out of control if you don’t manage it properly. It’s important to know when it’s time to press the brakes and take a breather.
Emotional Symptoms of Stress
If you’re feeling too stressed, you may start to notice it in your emotions. Emotional stress may have these effects:
- Insomnia or difficulty relaxing
- Like you need to avoid other people
- Overwhelmed by all of the things coming at you
- Quick to anger or annoyance
- Worthless or depressed.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
Stress isn’t something that just affects our emotions. Too much stress can have an impact on our bodies, including:
- Aches and pains throughout your body;
- Chest pain;
- Headaches;
- Insomnia;
- Low energy;
- More prone to sickness or infection;
- Shaking caused by stress.
Cognitive Symptoms of Stress
Stress affects your body and your mind, including your ability to think clearly. Stress can lead to:
- Difficulty focusing on one thing, as thoughts seem to rush by;
- Disorganization and forgetfulness;
- Excessive pessimism, making it hard to see the positives;
- Impaired judgment, making it harder to make good decisions;
- Persistent worrying.
Behavioral Symptoms
When stress affects every part of your body and mind, it’s no wonder that excessive stress can affect our daily lives. You and others may notice:
- Avoiding duties and responsibilities;
- Changes in your eating habits, either eating too much or not eating enough;
- Using alcohol or drugs more often than usual.
How to Manage the Stress of Moving
When stress takes its toll, it can negatively affect our mental and physical health. Let’s take a deeper look at how we can effectively manage stress while you’re moving so that you can stay healthy and focused.
1. Adopt the right attitude.
Stress can make us pessimistic, causing us to lose focus on the task at hand and push ourselves in deeper hole. When you’re moving, try to adopt a can-do attitude to help you through the toughest parts. Focus on the positives, like exploring new areas or meeting new people. Even if it’s just one thing, keeping that positively in your mind can go a long way.
Above all, try to remember that the move itself is only temporary. Your home will start feeling like home over time as you start to decorate and get settled. There was probably a time when your current home was new to you, so remind yourself that you’ve done this before and it’ll all work itself out.
2. Do your research.
One of the toughest parts of moving is running into unexpected changes happening in your life. It only makes matters worse if you’re leaping into the unknown. Do your research and be prepared as much as possible. Look into the neighborhood, find close restaurants to try out, and look at your daily commute to work. Armed with this knowledge, you can already start to feel comfortable in your new home. Plus, you’ll have more time to think about the positive things in your life.
3. Make a checklist.
A moving checklist can be one of the most essential items to help plan a move. By breaking down what is needed, you can make the whole process much easier on yourself. This way you don’t forget things if stress gets the best of you. You’ll also be able to enjoy some satisfaction as you check items off your list.
Every moving checklist will be different, but here are some of the basic elements that you’ll probably want to focus on.
- Get enough boxes for your storage items.
- Make any down payments or security deposits that are required.
- Make travel and moving plans. If you need extra help, make sure a friend or a moving company is available.
- Pack everything with organized labels. This is important when you move in so you can set boxes in the correct rooms.
- Put everything in a storage unit or take them out, depending on whether you downsizing or upsizing.
4. Declutter.
Moving is not only about transporting items to your new home, but it’s also about decluttering and getting rid of old items that have no use. Many of us will start to notice that we’ve accumulated a lot more junk than we were meant to have. Some of these items collect dust and will never get used again. If that is the case, it’s time to donate those or give to someone else. It will make moving day much easier and you will have less to haul along.
5. Start early.
We all know that saying, “the early bird gets the worm.” It’s true! Getting an early start has its benefits. This will help minimize stress considerably. Some parts of your move, like decluttering, can be done weeks or even months before the day of the move.
6. Accept help.
Moving is not always a one-man job. It’s okay to ask for help. Just remember to pay back the favor. Buying drinks or a meal for your helpers is a common way to thank them for all they’ve done after a long day of moving.
Of course, the other option is to hire professional movers if the job is too big for you and your friends. Professional movers are usually familiar with all of the tricks to move large items such as refrigerators and other appliances.
7. Say goodbye.
If you are leaving your hometown, it’s not always easy to say goodbye to friends. It’s an important step in moving on with your life. If you’re moving far away and it’s possible that you won’t see a lot of these people and places again, take your time in saying goodbye. Let your last memories of your old home be good ones.
