Moving is one of the most stressful things a person can go through in their lifetime, if not multiple times! Not only is the process very stressful to ensure your belongings arrive on time and whole, but there is also the anxiety of settling into that new space.
New friends, new routines, new… everything. Luckily, there are a few things that can help make that move a little less anxiety-inducing, and we’ve rounded up all the tips for you below!
How to Recognize Anxiety
Before diving into ways to cope with your anxiety, let’s first navigate how to recognize anxiety. Anxiety can manifest in many different ways depending on the person and won’t always look the same, even in the same household.
But because there are so many different mental health problems, you may find that you are suffering from depression rather than anxiety and vice versa.
- On edge
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Fatigued
- Sore body and/or muscles
- Trouble sleeping
1. Coping with Homesickness
One origin for your post-move anxieties may be the fact that you miss your hometown so much. If you can, try to remain somewhat connected to your home in order to avoid feeling upset over the change.
Whether it be to bring pieces from home that remind you of the place, or simply checking in with your loved ones and friends that you left behind – do what you can to keep a sense of home with you. Also, remember, you’ve made a move for a reason, and it would be best to keep moving forward rather than constantly turning back.
2. Don’t Try and Get It All Done
The average person in the midst of a move will want to get the process over with as quickly as possible. For some, this means overexerting yourself for the sake of the move being “done.” If you’re feeling anxious over the things you need to do, give yourself some slack!
Moving and getting everything in one place is half the battle. Aside from the essentials, there is no reason you need to get all of the extras (like holiday storage) squared away right away. Focus on the things that need to get done asap, even if it means opening the box so you can access the things you need.
3. Take a Break
One of the hardest things to do when you’re going through the throes of anxiety is to step back and take a break. While this won’t actually get you closer to your goal of unpacking and adjusting to your new surroundings, it can certainly help.
The reset will help you to realign and give you space to breathe following all of the stressful moments that led up to the move. One option to help take the edge off is taking advantage of dispensaries, such as the Marijuana Doctors.
4. Let It Out
A general approach to navigating anxiety is to get out what you’re feeling. Through this process, you can learn to understand the root cause of your anxiety and potentially find a solution. There are multiple ways to approach this, but do what makes you comfortable.
If it’s writing out your thoughts or calling up a friend to discuss what you’re feeling, the benefits can be immeasurable. You may also start to realize that in writing out your anxieties, you can spot which ones don’t make sense or are unlikely and which have solutions. The chances are that many of your fears are either quick fixes or something you don’t need to stress over anyway!
5. Use General Anxiety Coping Routines
Regardless of what your anxiety is brought on by, you will most likely find relief in general anxiety coping methods. When you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stop, close your eyes and breathe.
Slow down your thoughts, focus on tense body parts, and begin to untighten them as you return to a calmer state of being. In this clear state, you can better understand what is wrong and how to fix it moving forward.
Conclusion
Moving is an inherently stressful process, but you can certainly make it easier on yourself. Don’t be overly harsh on yourself and instead focus on the things that matter most to avoid additional anxiety. With a few tips in place to help you relax, moving doesn’t have to be overbearing!