How to Reduce and Manage Moving Stress

Why Is Moving Stressful?

People react differently to major life events and tremendous changes. Of course, leaving the place you’ve gotten used to is more than challenging. And even if you know that something excellent awaits at the new location, you can’t not worry. So, why is moving so stressful? Aside from the fear of the unknown, these are the main reasons most feel anxious about it:

• The lack of time to plan and do everything correctly, especially if you have to pack to move in a hurry,
• Concerns related to finances and unexpected costs that might pop up when hiring movers (and even if you choose a DIY move),
• Getting used to the new environment and making friends in a new state or city.

If you find yourself getting caught up in negative thoughts, these are the symptoms you must watch out for:

• Having difficulty relaxing,
• Being easily irritated and avoiding others,
• Feeling overwhelmed by the changes ahead,
• Having negative thoughts and feeling depressed.

Since the main pain points include the tempo you have to embrace, financial struggles, and the concern related to adjusting to the next location, start early and prioritize. Create a relocation to-do list and follow it. Plan the budget on time and research the market to understand the prices. Travel to your selected area and get to know it before living there. Now, let’s see what else you should focus on.

What Is the Most Stressful Part of Moving?

Those who have moved before know that packing is usually the most challenging part of the relocation process. Some agree that unpacking can be equally tough. Having to sort your belongings, get rid of some, and box up the rest carefully does seem like quite an assignment.

That is why planning it all as early as possible is at the top of the list of things to do before relocating. To avoid the fuss and excessive hurry, it is best to start strategizing two months in advance. Then, start to pack a few weeks before the big day. Or you could just book a professional packing service from reliable cross-country movers and take the pressure off your shoulders.

How Do You Relieve Stress From Moving?

If you want to move safely, efficiently, and without fears and headaches, you will have to follow some patterns. Learn a few useful relocation hacks and follow these guidelines:

• Accept the fact that you will be stressed out. By being realistic and having the right mindset, you will overcome these thoughts,
• Create a comprehensive checklist and write down each task you will need to take care of,
• Start small and don’t rush yourself (or your family members) into anything. It might take a while to decide where to live. But once you do, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions when it comes to the process itself either,
• Make time to say goodbye to everyone. This is particularly important if you’re relocating with children. They should understand the need to switch to a new home and say bye to friends, classmates, and teachers,
• Research the market and find the most reputable long-distance moving services. Their price range should match your budget, and you should pay close attention to their terms, policies, and the reviews left by previous customers,
• Plan the budget according to the information you have received from movers,
• Declutter your household before getting packed. Toss, sell, or donate anything that you don’t want, like, or need in your next place. Then, create a packing list and follow it,
• Set the relocation essentials aside and place them in a labeled box or bag,
• Organize your documents and ensure that you’ve packed them since they are among the most commonly forgotten things,
• Change your address at the post office and contact utility companies and other service providers so you can transfer or cancel subscriptions.

If you do all of these things correctly and as early as possible, you won’t have much to worry about. All that is left to do is to get enough rest and take good care of your lifestyle, habits, and the food you eat. Staying healthy will help beat tension.

Tips to Help Your Kids Avoid Stress

Relocating with kids can be tough. They also feel stressed by these changes, which is why you must do your best to approach them cautiously and help them understand everything:

• Break the news gently by choosing the right words and the right timing,
• Include them in decision-making if possible and enable them to participate in the process,
• Let them have some fun while packing toys and helping out with other stuff,
• Notify them on time so they can say goodbye properly to people they are close with, including friends, peers, teachers, and relatives who live nearby.

Putting kids and their needs first is every parent’s instinct. Nevertheless, if you’re relocating with pets, know that they also feel anxious due to these changes. Be extra gentle with them and don’t forget their basic needs.

Finally, check out this video to help everyone relax and cope more easily when turning your life around:

Know That the Stress of Moving Is a Natural Reaction

Regardless of whether you’re relocating to a small town or a large, urban metropolis, you will unquestionably feel excited. In addition, you will also feel overwhelmed by all chores that lie ahead, potential costs, and the period of adjustment that awaits.

But how do you calm moving anxiety? The process of beating it starts with accepting it as a common reaction. Starting school or college also makes kids and young adults a bit jumpy. And later in life, we all face some tension when pursuing career opportunities. Just like in these cases, accepting a change of environment is bound to make your palms sweat a little. The sooner you realize that it’s perfectly normal to react that way, the better.

Begin by remembering all the reasons to move that were initially on your agenda. That way, you will be able to focus on the positive aspects of this tremendous change and embrace it as an excellent step forward that just happens to require a lot of planning.

Get Some Sleep and Watch Out for Your Health Before the Big Day

We tend to neglect the importance of a good night’s sleep at times. But, much like when we were studying for exams and having our bodies run mostly on caffeine, we sometimes apply the same recipe to relocating. And although we think it makes us more productive and helps us pack quickly, we couldn’t be more wrong.

It is a known fact that adults between 18 and 64 need at least seven hours of sleep. The less rest and fewer breaks you get, the more likely you are to respond negatively to the pressure that your move brings. Ensure that sleeping well is a priority throughout the entire move and try to get some rest as often as you can.

In addition, be sure to stay hydrated and eat as healthily as possible. Finally, once the relocation is complete and all of your boxes and stuff have reached your chosen destination, treat yourself. Reduce the impacts of the stressors by taking a few days off, going to a relaxing place, or getting a massage.

Make a Checklist and Take an Extra Moment for Each Step

One of the most notable sources of relocation anxiety is the urge to do everything quickly. However, you can make it a whole lot easier by starting early and having a lot of time to get everything done.

For example, you’ll need around two days to pack a studio or one-bedroom apartment. If you have more space and more stuff, you will have to start sooner. Researching and selecting movers, transferring utilities to your new home, and cleaning the house that you’re leaving also take a few days.

To estimate the deadlines and create a proper schedule, you should start by having a relocation checklist made. Pay attention to some essential elements every checklist must have:

• Getting a lot of boxes of various sizes and other packing materials,
• Paying security deposits and other required fees for your chosen location,
• Choosing the best routes, finding rest stops along the way, and calculating the cost of the trip,
• Packing all your inventory a few days or weeks in advance,
• Placing your belongings into a storage unit or taking them out.

All of this will bring much-needed order to the chaotic process. Taking small manageable steps will ensure that you reach your goals.

Take a Moment to Say Goodbye to Everyone

Saying bye to your colleagues, friends, relatives, and neighbors, as well as to your favorite places and your old household, can be hard. But it’s also a necessary step in getting on with your life. If you’ve figured out that it is time to move, give yourself an extra moment to say goodbye properly. Cherish the memories and form a satisfying impression of your old place once again before you leave.

Do the Research and Get Help from Friends and Professional Cross-Country Movers

When relocating, you could always use a helping hand. What’s more – you will hardly deal with each step correctly if you’re entirely on your own. So whether you need someone to assist you while you move large items or when managing delicate objects and packing paintings, explore your options and select your allies.

Getting help from professional long-distance movers is usually the best choice. Even though your friends and relatives will surely offer some aid, hiring an expert company is the safest alternative. When getting a quote and discussing the process with the pros, you can apply for a range of useful services. Besides the basic ones, you can also ask about car shipping. And since you can easily be short on space (or just unsure about certain possessions and whether you’d like to keep them), you might also want to rent a storage unit.

By exploring these options and getting help from skilled movers, packers, and drivers, you will undoubtedly overcome all issues and feel more comfortable knowing your items are in good hands.

How Do You Find the Best Long-Distance Moving Company?

If you want to skip another major stressor, which is the fear of getting scammed, do the research and find the most reliable East Coast or West Coast movers. To do so, watch out for these signs:

• Avoid every company that changes their name a lot,
• Skip each website that lacks some basic information, such as a phone number,
• Go through every site to find a USDOT number and run it through the FMCSA database – and do not hire any team that doesn’t have one on the top or the bottom of their page,
• Avoid those who charge by square feet,
• Know that taking cash payments only is also a red flag,
• Not having a sample of the agreement and being transparent about the rights and responsibilities is a sign that something’s off,
• And finally – unrealistically low estimates, as tempting as they sound, are a cause for concern.

If you follow these guidelines, you will understand how everything works, and the chances of getting scammed will be slim to none.

Purge Your Home Before Getting Packed – and Start Early!

Decluttering is one of the most significant parts of the process. Not only will it save you a lot of space, money, and time, but it will also reduce anxiety. Which items shouldn’t you keep? Everything damaged, outdated, or broken should be tossed or recycled. Unneeded paperwork, old magazines, and unnecessary receipts should be shredded.

As for the things that are still in a good condition, but you no longer want to use them – you can choose to sell or donate them. That way, your packing process will be far more efficient and simpler, and it will be much easier to keep track of your belongings, especially when the relocation day arrives.

Beat the Moving Stress and Nail Your Transition With These Simple Tips

If you follow these uncomplicated steps, you will have a comfortable move and a pleasant start at your desired location. Be tidy, organized, and prepared for everything. Create lists, cross things off them upon finalizing a task, and keep track of your progress. Never say no to those keen on helping you – including your youngest family members.

Ultimately, contact the most reputable West Coast or East Coast movers. Finding a trustworthy and affordable team of experts will minimize your worries and keep you relaxed.