10 Ways to Stay Happy and Healthy During a Stressful Move

Moving soon? Take a deep breath! While moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in life, there are (thankfully) proven ways to keep stress in check and happiness in full supply. From yoga classes to simple moving strategies, here are 10 ways to stay happier and healthier during a stressful move.

Try these de-stressing techniques

First and foremost, remember to take care of yourself during the move! Some de-stressing techniques include:

Making time for exercising – whether it’s yoga, walking, running or playing a sport that you love, carve out time a few days a week to stay active.
Breathing – deep breathing has been scientifically proven to reduce overall stress levels. Try inhaling deeply through the nostrils and out through the mouth several times a day.
Treating yourself – Even if it’s just once a month, make time to treat yourself at some point during the moving process. Easy ways to treat yourself include taking a hot bath, getting a massage, reading a magazine and having lunch with friends.
Unplugging – A few minutes a day, I suggest turning off the tv, putting the phone down and just relaxing!
Reading a book – Before bed, try reading a book to get your mind off of the upcoming move.

Make a to-do list

The process of moving comes with a LONG list of to-dos. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you’ll able to remember everything that needs to get done (and when). Even the most organized person needs a simple to-do list when it comes to a complicated move. To ensure your moving day goes off without a hitch, check out Moving.com’s handy Moving Planner . The checklist features a personal tasks list, email reminders and coupons to help you organize and prepare as efficiently as possible.

Avoid rushing your move (if you can)

Assuming that you’re not forced to move unexpectedly, I strongly recommend taking your time during the moving process. This doesn’t mean waiting until the last minute to accomplish all of your packing and coordinating. This means building in the proper amount of time (read: not procrastinating!) to get everything done. It could mean starting your packing early or planning out a week-by-week strategy. It could also mean paying another month’s worth of rent, so that you have a few extra weeks to move your things into the new place.

Take time for yourself

In the midst of taking care of the moving plans, don’t forget to take care of yourself! This means carving out time in each busy day for yourself. Whether it’s a necessary doctor’s appointment or a few minutes of meditation, take the time to care for your own needs.

Listen to music while packing and moving

Listening to music will not only keep you entertained during the moving process, but it will also decrease your stress levels. In fact, according to psychcentral.com , “the soothing power of music… can be an extremely effective stress management tool.” Research has proven that listening to music can reduce blood pressure, decrease stress hormones and slow heart rates. So if you’re particularly stressed about a move, I suggest listening to upbeat tunes to get you through the process. For song suggestions, check out Moving.com’s moving day playlist .

Pack non-essentials first and essentials last

Avoid unnecessary stress by packing strategically. Remember: the order in which you box up your things is just as important as how you box them up. So as you begin the packing process, make sure to box up non-essentials first. Non-essentials items should include anything in your house that you won’t be needing right before the move such as furniture, paintings, TVs, mirrors and books. A few days before the move, you’ll also need to pack a separate suitcase or box with everything you plan to use on moving day and the immediate days after. This should include items such as toiletries, shampoo, pajamas, clothing, phone chargers and shoes. Follow this strategy and your move is sure to be a much less stressful experience – one that doesn’t involve a 10 p.m. trip to the drugstore in search of a toothbrush!

Hire packers to help

If you can afford to hire professional packers to help with the move then by all means go for it. Afterall, with so much to do and so many tasks to check off, packing an entire household can seem like just another hassle to add to an already stressful relocation process. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire professional packers, take a look at Moving.com’s list of pros and cons of hiring packers for your next move.

Enlist someone to watch your children

Trust us when we say that juggling moving boxes while also babysitting a child isn’t a great idea. To the parents out there, I strongly recommend hiring a babysitter or enlisting a friend or family member to watch your children on moving day. This way you can focus on the moving logistics of the day and not on diaper changing.

Take time off from work (if possible)

Unless you have all the time in the world on the weekends, I highly recommend taking some time off of work when moving to a new home. This way you don’t feel overwhelmed by the packing or unpacking process when you get home at night from a long day at the office.

Don’t forget to eat healthy foods

Believe it or not, many foods have been proven to stabilize blood sugar and reduce stress levels. According to Health.com , these superfoods include: leafy green vegetables, turkey breast, oatmeal, yogurt, salmon, blueberries, pistachios, dark chocolate, milk, seeds, avocados and cashews. So head to your nearest grocery stores and start noshing!

Of course, one of the best ways to stay happy and healthy during a move is to leave the stressful job of moving to the professionals. To find the best moving company to handle your upcoming move, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!