Moving house is supposed to be fun, right? Moving to a new home and having a fresh start can be exciting. But then why is moving house one of the most stressful events in one’s life?

Moving house is cited as one of the most stressful events, so undoubtedly, this will be a time of great anxiety. Leaving a home you’ve potentially lived in for some time can stir up memories of happy times and cause us to pause and reminisce. There are many things to consider when selling and buying a house, such as how much money is involved in this process which can play a huge role in one’s anxiety and stress levels. Change is another component that can affect your mental health. You may have lived in your home for many years and become attached to your surroundings on a conscious or subconscious level. It is always advised to have a big declutter before moving house to create more space and fewer things to move that you don’t necessarily use or need anymore, and sometimes you may have grown attached to your belongings. This process can trigger feelings of sadness, unease and instability. The fear of the unknown often causes this stress.

So you have survived moving day, and you are now in your new home with boxes up to your eyes, and you can’t find the kettle! Familiarity has gone out the window, and you wonder how you will get through this. You may have moved into a new area or started a new school, job, or commute to work. These massive changes and significant upheaval can create frustration and being out of one’s comfort zone. This can even trigger underlying mental health problems such as anxiety, OCD or depression. Looking after your mental health while moving house is often sidelined due to mounting tasks and often simply being inexperienced in the moving process. Help to safeguard your mental health by doing things such as creating lists to help manage your mammoth task of moving, so get organised well ahead of time, as rushing last minute can prompt feelings of stress and, ultimately, a meltdown.

Tips for staying calm

Give yourself time. As much as it is essential to leave plenty of time for moving house, it is also important to give yourself time to adapt to your surroundings and be able to unpack your belongings in a calm mental condition. The process of moving house can be mentally exhausting as well as physically. Your goal is to get back to normal, and in doing so, you’ll need to give yourself some time and space to adjust to all the changes around you.

Having a comfort box

To help keep your mind relaxed and calm, it is a good idea to pack a bag of essentials, including things that will make you feel calm and happy and easily accessible amongst all the chaos on moving day. This could include toiletries, such as hand wash and wipes, medication, snacks to keep your blood sugar up and a water bottle, and important documents should you need to find something urgently. Having these things to hand is very convenient on moving day; just don’t let it get mixed up with the other boxes and end up on the removal van!

Be kind to yourself

Not only is packing up your house physically stressful, but it can also take its toll on your mental health too. Give yourself time during this process, and don’t be hard on yourself. Self-care can sometimes be forgotten, but listening to your mind and body is essential. Take some time out if necessary.

Getting good sleep at night can make a massive difference to your well-being. Ensure you eat well, too; a good diet will give you the boost you need. Sometimes it can become all too stressful, so this is when it’s time to take a short break. Taking a walk in the forest or just popping out to get some fresh air will make you feel the world of good. Maybe spending time with friends or family can help you feel grounded in this time of upheaval. It is a good idea to ask your nearest and dearest to share duties and help you out where possible; delegating a few tasks can be just what you need to feel relaxed and calm.

Finally, try some meditation and deep breathing exercises. Practice visualisation; this is imagining what you want to achieve in the future. This can be a very effective tool for planning your move by visualising the events that need to take place, step by step, to move house calmly and achieve that end goal.

It is easy during all the chaos and commotion of moving house to forget to take a moment and breathe! It will take some time to settle into your new home, and this process can’t be rushed. Give yourself time and love to adapt.