Wherever you are in the world, moving to a new place can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but also a source of stress and anxiety. According to a survey by OnePoll, 45% of Americans believe moving is the most stressful event in life — more than getting divorced, having children, or switching careers.
Moving can affect your mental health in various ways, such as disrupting your routine, changing your social network, and triggering emotional reactions. That’s why it’s important to take care of your mental health while moving and find ways to cope with the challenges and changes.
In this article, we will share some tips on how to maintain your mental health while moving, based on research and expert advice. Whether you’re moving across the street or across the country, these tips can help you make the transition smoother and happier.
Consider Online Therapy
Through online therapy, individuals can receive professional counselling from experienced therapists regardless of where they are geographically. This option eliminates the need for finding a new therapist in a new location, which can be time-consuming and stressful. Online therapy also provides a level of privacy and confidentiality that may be appealing to individuals uncomfortable with face-to-face sessions.
Online therapy platforms offer several convenient features such as scheduling appointments, messaging your therapist, and video conferencing. This form of treatment is also often more affordable compared to in-person therapy in India. And for those looking to travel, office-based sessions can be even more challenging.
Let’s take the United Arab Emirates — one of the most popular work destinations for Indian nationals — as an example. It’d be much more complicated to ask your current in-person therapist for a referral to a new mental health professional in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. This is particularly true because, in the UAE, online therapy is quite accessible to almost everyone, regardless of nationality.
Trim Down Those Variables
One of the best ways to reduce stress while moving is to plan ahead of time in order to reduce potential surprises and problems. You should start planning your move as soon as you know your moving date, which will give you enough time to organise and prepare everything. Some of the things you should do when making a moving plan are:
Hire a reliable moving company or decide if you want to handle the move yourself. Get written estimates from different movers, and compare their services and prices. Make sure a government agency certifies its registration and compliance with safety standards.
Make a moving inventory of all the items you want to move and sort out what you want to keep, sell, donate, or throw away. This will help you declutter your home and save money on moving costs.
Get appropriate packing supplies, such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, labels, and markers. You can order them online or get them from local stores.
Pack your belongings in an organised way, starting with the things you use least often. Label each box with its contents and destination room. Pack and label a separate box with essentials that you will need right away, such as toiletries, clothes, medications, and documents.
Take care of the paperwork, such as changing your address, transferring your utilities and updating your insurance. Notifying your bank, employer, doctor, and other important contacts is also recommended.
Work Smart, Not Stressed
Another tip to maintain your mental health while moving is to take it one step at a time, and not try to do everything at once. Moving can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially if you have a lot of things to pack, organise, and transport. Some of the things you can do to take it one step at a time are:
Set realistic goals and deadlines for each task and reward yourself when you complete them. For example, you can pack one box per day or finish one room per week. Celebrate your progress with a treat, a break, or a fun activity.
Ask for help from friends, family, or professionals if you feel overwhelmed or stressed. You don’t have to do everything yourself! Having someone to assist you or keep you company can make the process more enjoyable and less stressful.
Be flexible and adaptable if things don’t go according to plan. Expect delays, changes, or challenges along the way and try not to let them ruin your mood. Focus on what you can control and adjust to what you can’t.
Crossing The Threshold in One Piece
Moving to a new place can be a challenge, but also a chance to grow and learn. By following the tips we shared in this article, you can maintain your mental health while moving and make the transition smoother and happier.
It’s worth noting that it also pays to stay communicative with loved ones and look after your physical health throughout the process. It can be tempting to eat strictly pizza and other forms of fast food while on the road and during the unpacking phase, but this can lead to poor nutrition and irregular sleep patterns, both of which often exacerbate stress while moving.
Above all, dwell on the bright side and stay focused on getting settled in! We hope you found this article helpful, and we wish you all the best in your new home!
