Many people consider moving to a new place one of the most stressful things they’ll ever do. Some of them try to get a grip on stress levels by eating, drinking, or smoking excessively during the weeks leading up to the move, and especially when making the transition to a new place.
The thing about moving is that almost everyone has to do it at least once in his or her life. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to alleviate some of the anxiety without doing things you might later regret. You might be amazed at how much less stressed you are if you take care of your body and mind properly.
Talk to a Trusted Friend
Sometimes, the listening ear of a close friend can be just the thing to help put things in perspective. A friend can remind you that, although moving is stressful, it will be over soon, leaving you with little more to do than enjoy your new place. When the pressure is mounting, reach out to a friend to confide in them. Grab dinner somewhere, or even just a cup of coffee. Even if that person doesn’t have advice you hadn’t thought of yet, at least you’ll get the benefits of being able to tell someone how you’re feeling.
Try Bach Flower Remedies
Dr. Edward Bach discovered a solution in the 1920’s and 30’s that claims to help people manage powerful feelings. The Bach system is made up of 38 different remedies, and each corresponds to a human emotion. The idea is to take certain varieties depending on how you’re feeling currently and how you’d like to improve.
To make things even easier, you can buy items from a common product line called Rescue Remedy. It features a blend of several Bach remedies, and you can take it in many different forms, such as pastilles, as well as a spray that’s made to be squirted on your tongue. Most of the versions come in convenient sizes so you can easily stash them in a pocket or purse while you’re packing or unloading boxes.
Recognize That You Can’t Do it Alone
Moving to a new home is a very big deal, even if you’re only going a few blocks away from your former residence. With that in mind, start planning ahead and recruiting people to help with things you know will be difficult to do on your own. For example, if you have a few pieces of very bulky furniture, it may be possible to rely on friends instead of hiring a moving company.
It can also be very mentally and emotionally comforting to have friends around as you are trying to settle in, but some people have a very hard time asking others for help. If you’re in that category, remember that the sooner you get everything out of your old house and into the new one, the sooner you can start relaxing again. People usually enjoy helping others and won’t feel burdened by doing it.
Look Into Lemon Balm
Lemon balm was used as far back as the Middle Ages to treat anxiety, and it could also be a good complement to help you prepare for moving day. Subjects who took lemon balm in scientific studies reported advantages like feeling calmer, being more alert, and finding it easier to sleep at night. It’s available in several forms, including dry leaves, essential oil, and tea.
Meditate Throughout the Moving Process
One of the great things about meditation is it can be done no matter where you are, and at any time. That means whether you’re feeling stressed about choosing a moving company, getting ready to sign a new lease, or have just grown weary of unpacking your seemingly endless supply of boxes, meditation can help you feel mentally and emotionally balanced once again. Contrary to popular belief, anyone can learn to meditate, and you don’t have to wait until you’re an expert to see positive effects.
If you’d prefer something a little more physical, feel free to choose a more active meditative exercise, such as swimming laps at the community pool. It may seem counter-intuitive to get more exercise after moving a bunch of boxes, but you’ll probably find it surprisingly effective in helping you to wind down after a long day.
Hopefully by now you have a few examples of techniques to try if you feel like you’re reaching your breaking point as moving day approaches. See if some of these suggestions help you feel more in control without needing to resort to things that may be harmful to your body.
–
Image Credit: Flickr (via Creative Commons)
