A household move is often stressful and intensely emotional, regardless of the reasons for the relocation. You are making a significant change and may experience fear, hope, disappointment, and longing. You can, however, manage and even relieve pre-move stress with just a few tweaks. Here are some suggestions.

1. Allow Time

Give yourself more time than you think you need. Book your mover early to cross that task off your list. Then set aside time daily for planning, preparing, and decluttering. Also, allow plenty of time for rest.

2. Create a Sanctuary

Leave an area of your home that can be a refuge from the chaos of moving. If you have practices that relieve stress, such as meditation or art, leave your supplies in this refuge area until the last minute. Take time off from moving tasks to continue these practices that bring peace.

3. Make Time for Self-Care

Moving requires considerable effort, and the tendency is often to skip many self-care activities to declutter and pack. However, self-care activities are essential to maintaining good mental health during the move.

Carve out at least 20 minutes daily for exercise, meditation, reading, and other activities that feed your body, mind, and soul. Reward yourself after a long day of packing with a hot bath, your favorite meal, or watching your favorite TV show.

4. Maintain Routines, If Possible

Keep up the routines you’ve created over the years. Continue attending your children’s activities and performing professional duties.

5. Ask for Help

You won’t receive any awards for accomplishing the move by yourself. Ask for help from friends, family, and neighbors, especially if you are moving with children.

Consider having your professional movers do your packing. Because they are experienced, they can often complete the job efficiently and at a modest additional cost.

6. Practice Self-Compassion

You probably will be crabby. You may also need help keeping up with the moving schedule you developed initially. Know that you’re doing your best, and give yourself some grace. If you make mistakes, find ways to laugh at yourself.

7. Organize Your Documents

Find a safe place for all your moving documents and keep them there. Those are often best kept with you in your car during the relocation instead of in the moving truck.

8. Look Ahead With Hope

List all the fun things you hope to do in your new home. Let thoughts of these activities motivate you when you become discouraged. Remember to keep the list nearby and avoid packing it until the last minute.

9. Eat Healthy

Maintain a balanced diet while preparing to move, including eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Some foods have natural stress-fighting properties. These include

  • Swiss chard
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Kimchi
  • Artichokes
  • Organ meats
  • Eggs
  • Shellfish
  • Fatty fish such as salmon
  • Broccoli
  • Chickpeas
  • Blueberries
  • Chamomile tea

10. Leave Time for Goodbyes

Start saying goodbye to your friends near your old home as soon as you know you’ll be moving. You may be surprised at the number of people who want to see you one more time before you go.

11. Hire a Professional Mover

Hiring a professional mover can help alleviate stress. Contact us so that we can handle many of the moving details so you can relax.