Coping With The Stress & Anxiety of Moving House
Moving house is widely regarded as one of the most stressful life events, often ranking alongside divorce and bereavement in terms of the emotional toll it can take. It’s a process that can feel overwhelming, not just because of the physical effort involved but also due to the emotional and psychological strain it places on you.
In this article, we’ll explore why moving house is so stressful and emotionally draining, and most importantly, we’ll provide practical tips to help you manage this transition with greater ease.
Why is Moving a House So Stressful?
Moving house is stressful for a variety of reasons. At its core, it involves a significant disruption to your routine and stability, which can be unsettling.
The sheer logistics of packing up your entire life into boxes, dealing with estate agents and solicitors, and navigating the financial intricacies of buying a property, such as stamp duty, can be incredibly stressful. On top of that, the uncertainty of moving to a new environment, coupled with the pressure of meeting moving dates, can leave anyone feeling anxious.
It’s important to acknowledge that this stress stems from the loss of control over your environment and the daunting task of uprooting your life. It’s not just the physical move that causes anxiety but the emotional implications of leaving a place where you’ve created memories. These factors combined make moving house a challenging life event that can weigh heavily on your mental health.
Why is Moving So Emotionally Draining?
The emotional drain of moving house goes beyond the physical act of relocating. It’s a process that involves saying goodbye to a home filled with memories, which can evoke feelings of loss and nostalgia. This sense of grief is natural, as you’re not just leaving behind bricks and mortar but also a space that has been a part of your life’s journey.
Moving house is emotionally draining because it triggers a complex mix of emotions, including fear of the unknown, sadness over what you’re leaving behind, and anxiety about the future. It’s important to recognise these feelings and give yourself permission to experience them. Suppressing these emotions can lead to increased stress and anxiety, making the moving process even more difficult.
How to Make Moving House Less Stressful
While moving house is undoubtedly stressful, there are steps you can take to reduce the burden and make the experience more manageable.
Below are some practical tips that focus on caring for your emotional wellbeing before, during, and after the move.
1. Plan Ahead and Give Yourself Plenty of Time
One of the most effective ways to reduce stress when moving is to start planning well in advance. Break down the tasks into manageable steps, such as sorting through belongings, scheduling the moving date, and arranging removals. By giving yourself plenty of time, you can avoid the last-minute rush that often heightens anxiety.
Planning ahead helps you to regain a sense of control, which is crucial in managing stress. When you have a clear plan in place, the overwhelming nature of the move becomes more manageable, allowing you to approach each task with a calmer mindset.
2. Organise Important Documents Early
In the midst of packing, it’s easy to misplace important documents. To prevent this, gather all necessary paperwork - such as contracts, insurance papers, and identification - well before the moving date. Keep these documents in a secure, easily accessible location.
By organising your important documents early, you reduce the risk of last-minute panic when you need to access them. This simple step can significantly ease your stress levels, allowing you to focus on the move itself rather than worrying about misplaced paperwork.
3. Take Care of Your Emotional Health
Moving house is not just a physical challenge, it’s an emotional one, too. Prioritising your emotional health during this time is essential. Consider incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even journaling your thoughts and feelings.
In moments when you feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks and stakeholders involved, it’s vital to find small pockets of peace. Take a few minutes each day to centre yourself - whether that’s through a quiet cup of tea in the morning, a short walk in nature, or simply sitting still and focusing on your breath. These practices can help you stay grounded amidst the chaos of moving, providing a mental break from the stress.
4. Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do everything on your own. If you have friends and family nearby, enlist their help to share the workload, whether it’s packing, cleaning, or offering emotional support. However, if you don’t have loved ones close by, there are still plenty of options available to you.
Consider reaching out to your neighbours. Even if you don’t know them well, many people are willing to lend a hand when asked, especially in times of need. It’s a good way to build connections in your community, and you might be surprised by how supportive neighbours can be.
Another option is to hire help through services like Taskrabbit or local moving services. These platforms allow you to book trusted individuals who can assist with various tasks, such as packing, dismantling furniture, or even helping with the actual move. While this comes at a cost, it can significantly reduce the physical and emotional burden of moving, especially when you’re short on local support.
If you’re juggling additional responsibilities, such as caring for children, pets, or a relative with special needs, these services can be particularly valuable. Hiring help ensures that you have the support you need to manage the move while still attending to your other responsibilities.
5. Create a Moving Day Survival Kit
On moving day, keep a bag of essentials with you. Think of it as a survival kit. Include items such as snacks, water, important documents, chargers, and comfort items like a favourite book or blanket. This kit ensures that you have everything you need on hand without having to dig through boxes.
Having a survival kit can alleviate some of the stress of moving day, providing you with a sense of security. It’s a small but effective way to ensure that your basic needs are met, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
Here is a survival kit list that reallymoving have put together.
6. Manage the Physical Clutter & Space Constraints
One of the most stressful aspects of moving is dealing with the physical clutter that comes with packing. As you begin to pack, you’ll likely find that your home becomes increasingly chaotic. Boxes start to take over, and your once orderly space may begin to feel claustrophobic and overwhelming.
It’s important to balance the need to pack early with maintaining a livable space. Consider packing in stages, focusing first on items you rarely use. This approach allows you to gradually prepare for the move without disrupting your daily life too much. Additionally, if possible, designate a specific area in your home for packed boxes, so the chaos is contained to one space.
If the clutter becomes too overwhelming, take breaks to clear your mind and reset. Even a short walk or a few minutes spent in a tidy room can help you regain a sense of calm amidst the disorder.
7. Focus on the Positives of Your New Home
Amidst the stress of moving, it’s easy to overlook the excitement of starting fresh in a new home. Take time to visualise what your new space will be like and plan how you’ll make it your own. This shift in focus can help to counterbalance feelings of anxiety.
Remember, it’s also normal to feel unsettled once you’ve moved into your new home, particularly if it’s a place that’s unfamiliar and feels different from your previous home. These feelings can sometimes lead to worries that you’ve made the wrong decision or that you’ll never feel at ease in your new surroundings.
To manage these feelings, give yourself time to adjust. Remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel out of place initially. Try to create a sense of familiarity by unpacking key items first - such as your favourite photos, cushions, or other personal touches that make a house feel like home. Gradually, as you settle in, these unsettling feelings should start to subside.
8. Allow Yourself to Grieve
Moving house often involves a sense of loss, especially if you’re leaving behind a place that holds sentimental value. It’s important to allow yourself to grieve this loss rather than pushing those feelings aside.
Acknowledging and processing your emotions is a crucial part of adapting to the change. By giving yourself permission to grieve, you create space for healing, which can make the transition to your new home smoother.
9. Take Time to Settle Into Your New Home
Once the move is complete, give yourself time to settle in gradually. There’s no need to rush the unpacking process. Take it one step at a time, allowing yourself to adjust to your new surroundings.
By easing into your new environment, you reduce the pressure to have everything perfect immediately. This gradual approach can help you feel more at home and reduce the stress associated with adapting to a new space.
Need Extra Support While Going Through A House Move?
Moving house doesn’t have to be a solo journey. If you’re finding the process overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. As a counsellor, Buick Hamblin offers emotional guidance to help you navigate this challenging time. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone - professional support is available to help you manage the stress and anxiety of moving.
For more information or to book a session, visit Buick Hamblin.
Learn more about how counselling can help provide relief and support for anxiety here.
