Whether you are moving to a new city, new state, or even a new country, changing locations is a thrilling experience! Moving out of an old, stagnant place and into a new setting, there can be much to look forward to. Many people will often look forward to moving, especially if their old living quarters were not as desirable as their new space.
As exciting as moving can be, it can also be equally as stressful. It can be nerve-wracking to think about the new responsibilities you may have when moving to a new location, such as meeting new friends. Another difficult component of moving can be the general stress of transporting your items and making sure that your space is suitable for your arrival. This is also known as the emotional stress of moving.
When you are planning a move, you most likely already know that it will not be an easy undertaking. If you want to lower your stress level during the moving process and settle into your new home as smoothly as possible, it is advised that you prepare yourself and learn some helpful stress management tips. Keep reading this blog to learn how to cope with moving stress!
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and telehealth (video/phone) sessions to residents of New Jersey and New York.
Is it normal to feel stressed out when you are moving?
Yes! It is completely normal and understandable to feel stressed out during the moving process. In fact, moving is as often cited as one of the most stressful life events, in line with divorce, job loss, the death of a loved one, and a major illness or injury.
While moving should feel like a fresh start for you and your family, the ever-so-many components of moving can easily feel like it is too much to handle. If you are moving alone, it can feel even more cumbersome since you are not sharing the responsibilities with anyone.
Even if you are a positive person, you may have intense feelings about your move which can happen for a variety of reasons. For instance, you may feel anxiety over beginning a new job, dealing with an unfamiliar home layout, trying to become acquainted with a new city, and learning new customs and a new culture. A major factor in moving stress can be the cost. Moving can be expensive. In addition to paying for your new home, you also need to pay to transport all of your furniture. Moving can even be physically exhausting with all of the planning, packing, moving, and unboxing.
The culmination of these issues can lead to moving stress. Even though it’s a challenging time in your life, it is also a door-opening opportunity. With your new space comes the chance to meet new friends and make some great memories. Managing your stress will help you smoothly enter this next phase in your life.
What are some signs of excessive stress when moving out of an old apartment or house?
There are some common symptoms of stress that many people feel when moving. If you are experiencing these symptoms, do not wait to reach out for help, particularly from a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in life transitions.
Some popular emotional symptoms of stress include:
Anxiety
Insecure in your abilities and skills
Feeling a lack of control in regards to the direction of your life
Difficulty relaxing
Easily overwhelmed
Anger outbursts
Grief leaving behind an old place (e.g., leaving a childhood home that is filled with memories)
Stress can change your behavior and you may not even recognize it right away. The risk of depression can even increase when experiencing prolonged, elevated periods of stress.
Some behavioral symptoms of stress encompass:
Losing interest in previously enjoyable activities
Sleeping for long periods of time (e.g., more than ten hours per day)
Not feeling like yourself
Avoiding responsibility
Have a desire to engage in unhealthy activities (e.g., drink, smoke, overeat, etc.)
Having suicidal thoughts (feeling suicidal? Help is only a phone call away at the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255)
When stress is not dealt with, it can manifest into physical problems. These physical symptoms can be detrimental to your health.
Some physical symptoms of stress that you should look out for include:
Rapid heart rate
Shaking
Increase in sickness and/or infection
Fatigue
Upset stomach
Low energy
Nausea
Dizziness
Difficulty breathing (e.g., shortness of breath)
Chest pain
Aches and pains
Headaches
How can I combat moving stress?
When you are experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, moving can feel that much more overwhelming. Luckily, you can manage your stress by employing the following tips…
Understand That Stress Is Normal
Stress is an organic reaction to any type of change, including moving. It is not always avoidable. When you begin to accept that stress is a normal part of life, its “disastrous” effects can lose their power.
Accepting stress may not be easy, especially at first. When a circumstance is in our control, we think we should be able to ignore stress or that stress should not even be there in the first place. When you recognize stress as a typical part of the moving process, it allows some distance from yourself and the issue-at-hand.
Your stress will pass. Your feelings do not have to dictate your life!
2. See A Licensed Therapist
Speaking to a licensed therapist who specializes in life transitions can be helpful when you do not know how to mitigate your stress. Talking to your family and friends can be uncomfortable and, since they are not an unbiased source, you may have a difficult time taking their advice. Stress is complex, and you may have a hard time defining your feelings.
Your therapist can walk you through your mental health difficulties. Your life transitions mental health counselor can give you a safe space to work through your feelings regarding moving. They can get to the root cause of your stress and give you the support you need.
3. Learn Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Stress
There are many effective methods to reduce stress and improve relaxation. Some examples include meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. These are simple ways that help connect your mind and body. This makes it easier to handle stress as it arises.
Stress can impact you physically and mentally. By practicing mental exercises, you can lessen your stress and keep your emotions at a normal, more manageable level which will make you feel like you are in more control of your life.
Overall, moving is a positive step forward. You are saying goodbye to your old life while opening yourself up to new memories. As many people know, moving is not an easy process. The best way to mitigate your stress is to be prepared. By testing out some of the tactics outlined in this article, you will be prepared to decrease your stress levels!
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager and Intake Coordinator at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, planning to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
