The moving experience can mean different things mentally for different people. Some just glide right through the process without too much stress, while others find themselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just depressed about the situation. Cutting down on moving stress by planning well ahead of time and being proactive in your moving plan will help out a lot in the process, but for areas where a little more care is needed to check in with yourself, we’ve got some good tips to keep yourself in good mental condition for your relocation.
How to Lower Moving Stress
Whether you’re looking for long-distance moving tips to destress or are heading out on a local move, a relocation can be a significantly stressful process that takes planning and preparation to ensure that it’s done correctly and that everything runs smoothly.
That being said, even the most well-planned relocation can have some things that just don’t work out. The easiest way, however, to manage your moving stress is by managing your process with detail that will limit bumps in the road or unwelcome developments as much as possible. To limit your moving stress, check out the following tips and tricks.
- Set your moving date as early as possible: Getting your moving date locked in will take a weight off your shoulders and will give you a definitive goal to look forward to. Additionally, locking in your moving date early will keep you away from having to deal with competition for your move during the busy peak summer months. Remember, the longer you leave until you have to move to set a definitive moving date, the harder it might be to get one.
- Hire movers with a good reputation and good reviews: In the same vein as locking in your moving date as early as possible to cut down on moving stress, you’ll also want to book your moving company as early as possible.
When looking for movers, look for ones with excellent consumer reviews, and accreditations from various bureaus like the Better Business Bureau, as well as complete licensing from the US Department of Transportation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Using movers with these accreditations and licenses as well as excellent reviews will ensure that you’ll receive a positive moving experience.
- Settle into your new home before going back to work: At the end of the day, moving is a very stressful process that requires a lot of work mentally and physically to make work. If you’re moving while keeping your existing job, or moving for a new job, you should always give yourself a few days to decompress and unpack a little bit before heading right back to work or when starting a new job. This goes for both office and remote work! Especially if you’re starting a new job, try not to throw yourself into too many things at once. You’ll be happier for it!
- Make sure your car is in top condition for the drive: This one is mostly for long-distance moving, but it’s a good idea regardless to make sure that your car is in top working condition before you take it on a journey or a move with you. Have it checked by a trusted mechanic sooner rather than later to avoid any car troubles come moving day.
Take the Process Slow
Even the simplest local move can be overwhelming if you try to do it all at once at the last minute. Remember, trust the process! Don’t leave everything until the last minute, and don’t take on your entire moving process at once. Try to take things room by room during your packing process, and don’t feel like you have to pack everything at the same time. Start with nonessentials and work your way up from there.
Let Your Emotions Out!
One of the worst things you can do for your mental health during a moving process is to bottle up your emotions and not feel what you need to feel. Remember, it’s okay to have mixed feelings about your move! Oftentimes, bottling up your emotions and trying to be as stoic as possible can end up causing you to be more exhausted than if you had just let things out.
Talk to a friend or family member who isn’t involved in your move to try and manage and let out your emotions a little bit. Don’t vent or dump on people who are actively involved in your move – remember, they’re dealing with this too! Be there for each other and provide mutual support that will make you both feel better.
It’s natural to feel anxious and overwhelmed by the prospect of not only moving but of heading to a place you may have never been before, what your new home might bring you. Allow yourself time and space to work through your emotions and to get used to your new surroundings. Additionally, try to use coping mechanisms like journaling to work through your feelings.
A good way to make yourself feel better about the prospect of moving if you’re not happy with the process at home is to try and focus on the positives when it comes down to crunch time. Focusing on the positives will let you get a little more excited about your move, while also giving yourself something to look forward to, even if you’re feeling a little trepidation regarding the process.
Final Thoughts
A move of any size or scope can become a stressful and overwhelming one without the right plan, or if you don’t give yourself time to work through your emotions. Remember, let them out, plan proactively so that your process goes smoothly, and don’t try to take on too much at once.
Looking for the best moving company for your cross-country moving process or local move? See what Excel Moving & Storage can do for you today.
