Moving to a new home is exciting. Whether your new home is a few neighbourhoods away or on a different continent, relocation presents an opportunity to explore an unfamiliar place and start fresh. However, along with the excitement inevitably comes the stress and panic. You may be worrying over packing all your belongings, whether your new home will live up to expectations, or the physical move itself. These worries are normal, but they shouldn’t be creating unnecessary stress and anxiety. So, why do we find moving so stressful and how can we mitigate those fears?
Why moves makes us feel stressed
Moving can be a highly emotional experience. The mixture of stress, excitement, and uncertainty can make the process feel like a rollercoaster at times. Negative past experiences of moving can also heighten your stress levels. There is rarely only one reason for the cause of your stress. Here are some common reasons why we find moving a stressful experience.
Fear of change
With moving comes the fear of uncertainty. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable with the unknown and want to avoid the discomfort of adjusting to a new environment. Moving can create a variety of changes whether it be a new country, a new job, a new house layout or a new climate. Accepting these changes can take time, even if you know they are for the best.
The cost of time, effort and money
Unfortunately, relocating to a new home requires some time, energy and money. You may be worrying about how you’ll manage to get organised while also working long hours or if there’ll be enough time to pack everything before the big day. It’s also easy to dread the move as you’re aware it can be exhausting and draining. A big move can also be expensive as you may be paying for multiple residences at once, need to buy new furniture or household items and pay for any additional moving costs.
Emotional
As you pack up your house and sort through your belongings, it’s normal to feel emotional. Homes hold precious memories and preparing for a move can bring these emotions to the surface. While packing and organising your belongings, it’s easy to fall into the nostalgia trap after rediscovering certain items.
Moving interstate or internationally can mean saying goodbye to friends and family, at least in the short term. Leaving these support networks is tough, but have faith that you’ll make new friends and find a community at your next home.
The impacts of stress
Stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Occasionally, a little stress can be useful. It can help motivate you into action and meet important deadlines, however too much stress can be overwhelming.
Common signs of too much stress include:
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Interrupted or difficulty getting to sleep
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Inability to relax or unwind
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Mood swings, prone to becoming upset or irritable
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Forgetfulness
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Physical exhaustion
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Difficulty in focusing and paying attention
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Increased or decreased appetite
If you’re experiencing any of the above, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by the move. By procrastinating or avoiding your to-do list, which are both incredibly tempting and common responses, you are increasing your stress levels. Instead, we recommend taking action and attempting to address your concerns regarding the move.
How to manage your stress during a move
Everyone handles stress differently. As moving experts, we have a few tricks up our sleeves when it comes to managing the stress of moving. Here are some recommendations to help you feel less anxious about your move.
Do some preparation
This may seem like an obvious recommendation, but you’d be surprised to know how many people leave their packing and organisation to the last minute. You can start by thinking about your move and writing down a list of what is worrying you. These worries may include uncertainty about when you should pack your kitchen items or whether your new floor plan will fit all your furniture. By writing down the worries, you’ve now got an actionable list of things you can begin to address.
Begin to break big tasks such as ‘pack house’ into smaller tasks you can do each day like ‘pack all items in the garage’. By doing little by little, you’ll feel like you are working towards your goals and won’t feel so overwhelmed each day.
Change your mindset
Attitude is everything! Changing your mindset towards the move can make a huge difference in lowering your stress levels. You will likely feel worried and stressed about your upcoming move if you’ve previously had some negative experiences with moving. Thinking of this next move as a fresh start and a positive experience can help to change your mindset.
Sometimes doing something as small as curating a motivating music playlist for the move can make a world of difference. Start thinking about this move as an exciting opportunity to clean out the clutter and explore a new neighbourhood.
If you’re feeling anxious about relocating, then do some research on your new place. Is there a delicious local restaurant you look forward to eating at? Or perhaps you’ll be living near a big park that your dog will love. Make a list of things you’re excited to do after moving into your new home as it’ll keep you motivated throughout the relocation process.
Tackle the administrative tasks
No matter how boring and annoying you may find them, getting started on the administrative tasks early is always worth it. Handling the essential tasks such as setting up the utilities in your new home before the move is recommended. Nobody wants to spend the first night in their new home without electricity or running water.
We’d recommend doing tasks such as forwarding your mail and informing your bank about your change address before your move. Once you’ve finished moving, you’ll wanna explore the neighbourhood and enjoy settling into your new home. Admin will be the furthest thing from your mind.
Pack strategically
When it comes to packing, it’s best to do it strategically. You can begin the process early by packing items which are less frequently used such as books, out of season clothing, and garage items. You can check out our packing tips and moving checklist to get an easy guide on the days leading up to the move and ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Moving house presents the perfect opportunity to go through your belongings and declutter. By getting rid of old things, you’ll feel energised and refreshed for the move and also have less to pack - a win-win! We’d recommend adopting the popular Marie Kondo method and sorting your belongings into three piles; keep, donate, and bin.
Take care of yourself
This suggestion is easy to ignore, but looking after yourself is an important way to manage stress. Throughout the chaos of preparing for a move, you’ll likely find your normal routine and downtime slips through the cracks. Time previously spent relaxing and catching up with friends is now consumed by packing and cleaning. Taking breaks and getting sufficient rest during a move is essential, otherwise you can easily become overwhelmed and exhausted. We’d recommend taking a break every hour or allocating a specific amount of boxes or tasks to complete and then rewarding yourself.
During the move, pack a small bag with essentials to keep with you. Water, snacks, portable phone charger and toilet paper are highly recommended. It’s also great to set aside a mug and small amount of tea or coffee. By having these on hand, you can have an enjoyable break during the unpacking process.
Ask for help
Moving is difficult, especially if you are doing it alone. A problem shared is a problem halved. Reaching out for help can take the weight off your shoulders, reduce stress and will make the relocation process easier and more efficient. Who better to ask than highly experienced removalists like Allied. We’ve coordinated and performed thousands of moves both locally and internationally. Whether it’s organising the transportation logistics, arranging storage or assisting with the packing, we’ll do the heavy lifting for your move.
With Allied, you can rest assured that your move will go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your move and we can answer any questions or concerns you may have. You can also get a free quote - make your move stress free with Allied.