To pick up and move into a new home is a major life transition that can take a toll on your body and your mind, and understandably so. You’re leaving so much behind: family, friends, and especially memories. However, when it comes time for you to pack up and relocate, it’s critical to shift your mindset and consider all the opportunities that open because of your big move. Despite all the uncertainties, stress, and items to check off your moving to-do list, you can overcome the emotional toll by catering to your mental health throughout the moving process with some of these tips.
Get professional help
It may come as no surprise that hiring an expert can relieve a great deal of stress when searching for homes, packing, and relocating your belongings. A real estate agent can narrow down the search throughout your house hunt so you can find the right home for you much more easily.
In addition, you can hire professional packing or moving services that will properly care for your furniture and other items so that you don’t have the stress of misplacing or damaging any of your most prized possessions. While each requires a financial investment, carefully consider utilizing an expert to sidestep some common moving mistakes and take some of the weight off your shoulders.
Create a moving checklist to care for your mental health during the moving process
Once you’ve purchased your future home, it doesn’t end there. There are plenty of things you need to arrange before making the move, like finding new jobs, schools, doctors, and more. Pile on top of this packing up boxes, unpacking, organizing, and furnishing a new home. When all of these tasks prove to be overwhelming, create a moving checklist to prioritize which tasks need to be checked off first. Take each task one step at a time and your goals will seem more attainable. In fact, to-do lists have proven to decrease anxiety by providing structure and a visual reminder of what you’ve already accomplished.
Maintain your self-care routine
How do you recharge each day? Whether it’s through a sunrise yoga session, a morning walk, or an hour with your favorite book before bed, be sure to carry on with your routine throughout the move. It may look a bit different as you relocate, but maintain as much consistency as possible to provide yourself with some comfort and familiarity through a particularly uncertain time. Remember that self-care is a direct path to a healthy mind and body, making it an essential aspect of your moving journey.
Plan to sustain relationships
It can be difficult to leave your family and friends, not knowing when you’re going to see them again. That’s why it’s comforting to establish a plan to see your loved ones in the future. Set a date for dinner or plan a weekend trip back home to give yourself something to look forward to. Knowing you’ll see the people you’ll miss most will make the move a bit easier to swallow and give you the dose of home that you need.
Start living in your new place
The best way to get over the moving blues is to dive right into your new life. Go out and explore your new neighborhood and introduce yourself to your neighbors. Join new groups, attend local events, and get involved in your community. Invite your neighbors over for a cookout or go out to dinner with new coworkers. The more people you meet and activities you get involved with, the quicker you’ll get acclimated to your new home.
Mental health is a crucial component of overall wellness. When faced with any major transition like moving into a new home, many find themselves struggling with mental health. Take extra time to mentally prepare, get organized, and take everything one step at a time.
