Mental Health and Moving: How To Look After Yourself

Of the many transitions we face in life, moving house is undoubtedly one of the biggest of all. Moving house is frequently considered one of the most stressful events in life. But whether you are moving to your dream home or you are gearing up to find a rental property, there are things you can do to make your move easier to benefit the practical components, but also your mental health. 

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Be Organised

You need to allow yourself enough time to prepare and start the process as early as possible. Before you start packing, you should consider decluttering so you're not moving things needlessly. Something like self storage can help at this juncture, but it also gives you a better idea of how much you need to move on the day itself. This is so important because it's going to make you feel more in control of the situation, which results in less anxiety about things not going smoothly. 

Preparing the Essentials

Moving house, even if it's to your dream home, can make you feel insecure as the old parts of your life are being dismantled. Preparing the essentials and putting them into one bag or box is crucial. Important documents, medication, and even underwear and toiletries can all provide a little notion of comfort on moving day. 

Giving Yourself Extra Time

Moving home can take one weekend, but it's always a good idea to give yourself more time if necessary. This does not necessarily mean you need to take off a week and break everything down into more manageable chunks, but it can also give you the opportunity to rest up if you are finding the process too taxing, physically or mentally. You will also need time after you move as well. For those that don't exercise, the act of physically moving all these boxes, walking, and even driving from one location to another can take it out of you. If you need that time to adjust to the entire process, you should give it to yourself. 

Remember Self-Care

You can feel more tired and anxious than normal. This is a very normal thing but you need to look after yourself properly. Take the time to do the things that make you feel happier within yourself. Having breaks but also thinking about the little tools that can help you deal with anxiety is crucial. The four big ones that can make a big difference include:

• Take breaks to split up the process. 
• Smiling, because your brain actually receives as a conscious signal that you are happier. 
• Breathing, including techniques like box breathing to benefit your parasympathetic nervous system. 
• Posture, which can have an impact on how you are dealing with something that is potentially anxiety-inducing. 

It is not an easy thing in the slightest, and this is why anybody that can feel anxious about the moving process, but you've got to look after yourself, not just for you and your family, but recognise that moving is something that is high on the list of stressful moments in life, so look after yourself.