THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MOVING: MANAGING EMOTIONAL STRESS

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Relocating ranks as one of the most stressful events in life. Right up there with job loss and divorce. Not an overstatement.

A move comes with:

Physical fatigue
Financial stress
Emotional instability
Logistical chaos, name it all.

This canoverwhelm even the most organized person.

But below ishow to take control of it.

Accept that it will be overwhelming

The first step in stress management when moving is to allow yourself to experience the stress. Others make things worse for themselves by:

Trying to act as if their feelings aren’t real, when they are
Trying to rationalize that it’s just a move, when it’s really a big change
Trying to compare it to other people’s problems, when it’s not.

This form of inner dialogue does not reduce stress. It only increases it with guilt.

It is normal to feel exhausted mentally.This is a big change. However, accept it and show yourself some compassion.

Divide things into smaller tasks

There are lots of reasons why moving is so daunting. But one of the main ones is that all the things you have to do seem like such a long list.

Don’t look at it as a whole. But rather as a series of small, achievable tasks. You can complete them one day at a time.

Pack one room at a time.
Make one phone call per day for utilities and address changes.
Tackle the administrative side in short, focused sessions.

And so forth. Small wins add up fast. Each task removed means the mental load is reduced a little more.

Hire professional movers

Much of the stress comes from the physical and logistical demands of the move. That’s where professional movers really come in handy. They save your schedule and also your mental health.

A reputable firm such as AAA Moving will take care of everything, including:

Packing
Moving
Unloading

Each task wouldneed days to accomplish on your own.

Professional removalists take up that layer of physical exhaustion. This frees up your mind as well.

Protect your sleep

People often give up their sleep when moving. However, lack of sleep makes everything else harder.

For example, packing sessions at night may seem like a productive activity. But you will get mental fog and irritability the next day. This is challenging.

Instead, choose a time limit for doing things and keep to it. Alternatively, let movers handle everything. A rested mind is better equipped to deal with unavoidable aspects of a move, like:

Logistical glitches
Emotional moments
Decision fatigue.

Keep in touch with people

Relocation can feel lonely. Particularly when leaving old friends and familiar surroundings. But don’t go through it alone.

Make a call to a friend in the middle of chaos. It can change your emotional state. Stay connected on purpose. There’s nothing like feeling bound to people who care about you, and it won’t cost you a cent.