Tips to Reduce Anxiety When Moving

This content was created in collaboration with Dr. Phil, a spokesperson for Sundae.

There are ways to reduce the stress that moving brings, checkout these 10 options to see what works for you.

Moving creates a sense of anxiety for many people. On the flip side, do you remember how you felt when you first bought a home? It’s common to feel a range of emotions both joyful and sad to move on to the next chapter. However, once it’s your time to sell your home, those emotions are bound to come back for many.

Anxiety is a common emotion for sellers parting ways with their old home. While you prepare to move, you can be at ease as you make your transition. Here are some ways to reduce your anxiety when moving.

Don’t run: reflect instead

When you feel anxious, you don’t have to feel alone in doing so. It’s common practice to move out of your home, but remember that you have control. When you feel like the stress of moving is overwhelming you don’t run! Embrace this new journey and reflect on what’s making you so anxious. Chances are, you can trace overwhelming feelings and counter them with positive, controllable action.

Plan out your new home

Changing times are enough to handle. However, not knowing what’s ahead could be a bigger burden to bear. If you’re feeling anxious because you don’t know what comes next, start preparing with research. Find out more about your neighborhood, read reviews of shops and restaurants nearby, and plan some interior decoration ideas! The more you do research on your new home, the more you can gather positive thoughts about why you chose to move in the first place.

Start earlier to avoid stress

One of the quickest ways to accumulate a load of stress is to take on a majority of your tasks last minute. As you plan your move, chip away at tedious tasks such as packing, cleaning, gathering boxes, and handling your closing process. When you start earlier, your official moving day won’t seem nearly as tense and you’ll thank yourself later for clearing up tasks.

Reach out to your friends, family, and loved ones

Do you feel the weight of the world as you move on? Remember to reach out to family, friends, and loved ones. These people probably understand how important a milestone like your move-out day is. If they can’t help you move boxes and furniture, it doesn’t hurt to reach out for advice. The chances are, somebody you know has dealt with moving out before. “Your loved ones are your support line and reaching out provides you with physical, emotional, and mental relief”, Dr. Phil says. Ask questions, and seek help when you need it most!

Plan with a checklist

Many movers are thinking about everything but the present moment on their way out of their old home. While it’s pretty easy to engulf yourself in tasks, start planning and create an effective checklist. As you build a checklist, it might look something like this:

• Call the moving company
• Track your budget
• Buy packing supplies
• Eating foods with shorter expiration dates
• Stop by donation center to lighten up your move-out

Writing down your chores is a sure way of keeping your thoughts in order while making steady progress. It could actually be relieving checking off your tasks with a list because you won’t feel so forgetful.

Declutter and clean your home

How many homes have loose items everywhere with no real purpose? Decluttering and cleaning are both wonderful ways of reducing anxiety and organizing your space. How about those dusty knick-knacks in the closet? Or those rusty old gardening tools taking up space in your garage? Take a simple walkthrough your old home and declutter. Moving less items means less work and less money spent on packing supplies.

Enjoy the process

Dr. Phil believes focusing on the positives of an anxiety-induced situation goes a long way. So how do you turn the tables on a challenging time in your life? Make it fun! Play your favorite music as you sort through boxes and items. Encourage your children to join and teach them how to pack. You could even write down a to-do list of all the activities available in your new location that you have to try!

Make your last memories

Your move-out shouldn’t have to feel so abrupt. A large part of personal growth is cherishing the good times and the bad. So tie up any loose ends with your old home and appreciate the process of moving out. Long distance or out of state moves are even more challenging and you might not see fellow neighbors, family, and friends for a while. Host a going away party, send a message, make that phone call, and make your memories!

Take care of yourselfWe can’t stress the importance of keeping a focus on your own well being enough. Anxious times distract us from what’s really important. Even though moving out is critical, don’t fall behind on self care. Take that long bath, keep up a simple gym routine, go for a jog, meditate, or do whatever you have to do to feel just like you. Breathe, rest, and restore any imbalance that you have with your moving period.

Think about how it will all be worth it

As you make strides towards moving out of your home, know that the light at the end of the tunnel is very real! Anxiety likes to control us, but it’s an opportunity for growth, not a weakness. The truth is, you have a goal driving your move-out in the first place. Think about how it will all be worth it and much of your regular routine will soon be right back to where you left off. Besides, you’re gaining some valuable knowledge about moving out. Remember, you’re in full control and you got this!

Dr. Phillip C. McGraw is a paid spokesperson for Sundae and made this content in partnership with the company. The views and opinions expressed by Dr. McGraw are solely his own and do not reflect those of CBS Media Ventures.