There are few things we do in life that are as stressful as moving. It seems no matter the reason we are moving, there is always a high level of stress. 

You get a great job in a terrific city. You are excited about the future. Yet, moving stresses you out. Even in the best of circumstances, we get anxious about the prospect.

The thing about moving is that there are so many aspects involved that at least one of them is likely to be a stressor for you. If you are subject to more than one of these, then moving can be can become overwhelming.

Here some of the main stressor events involved in a move.

  1. Leaving Friends & Family

Even when we are excited about a new location, leaving the place and the people with which we are familiar can cause anxiety. 

  1. Establishing new routines

When we move we have to establish connections across the spectrum of our daily activity. New grocery store, bank, social activities, hobbies, and other activities mean that we need to connect in an entirely new environment. This can be fun and exciting, but it will be stressful. 

  1. Meeting Deadlines

Many people are uneasy with deadlines. When these deadlines are a normal part of our routine, we become accustomed to them and work through our anxiety. But, with moving, there are a series of deadlines that are new to us, come fast and are often not negotiable. Not packing on time, missing a closing date, missing utility dates, etc, can all pile up on us. 

  1. Handling Finances

Money and financial issues, even positive ones cause angst. Moving usually involves large financial decisions well beyond the cost of the move itself. We are usually leasing or purchasing, and often selling homes. These financial transactions in and of themselves are challenging to manage. Combined with moving, as they normally are, they then the pressure can be tremendous.

What is the best way to deal with the stress of moving

Whether you are stressed by only one of the above, or all of them, there are ways to cope with the stress and make the most of your moving experience. Here are a few things you can try.

Plan Early

The steps you have to take for your move are the same, no shortcuts. The more time you give yourself to make your move, the less stressful the entire process will be.

Organize your move

By organizing your move, creating a step by step plan for your move provides a clear site into what is coming. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you see what you’ve completed along the way. Much of the stress in a move comes from all the due dates you have to get things done. Organizing your move with a checklist gives you a clear path to getting everything done.

You can work with your mover, to search for a moving list, but create a checklist.

Take breaks

Giving yourself periodic ‘breathers’ helps you handle the pressure and stress of a move. Unfortunately, we tend to get too caught up in the process and fail to give ourselves time to relax.

If you start early and organize your move, you can plan to take breaks.  This is important to help take care of yourself during the months of the process. Don’t underestimate the importance of self-care.

Even though moving is a very stressful process, and there are many good reasons for the stress, you can take steps to elevate your level of stress.