Relocations are challenging and might seem overwhelming even if you had many previous experiences. Moving stress is just one part of the emotional spectrum of feelings you have to deal with during this period. It will undoubtedly show up, sooner or later. Even if you are aware of the fact that every move is an opportunity for growth and positive changes, the fear of something new and unknown is undeniable.
In the following article, we’ll explain more about these emotions – how you can recognize them and why you shouldn’t deny them as well as how to overcome them and use them as your strength. One of the smartest things you can do for yourself when relocating to a new home is to hire professionals to assist you and teach you how to deal with any relocation-related problems. Having their support might feel more than helpful during this stressful period.
Why Is Moving Stressful? Everything You Need to Know About This Critical Period
You might be wondering what are the three most stressful things in life, or is moving stressful? According to many studies and examinations, the most stressful thing in life after losing a loved one, divorce, or losing a job, is a relocation. How are those situations related? If you look and think about it carefully, you might even spot a pattern.
All of these things are related to losing something we deeply care about, something that provides us stability, feelings of consistency, and other positive emotions. Once we lose mentioned things, we can suddenly start feeling like we are lost and wounded, not to mention anxiety related to new beginnings, loneliness, and many other changes that will have to come.
Why Is Moving So Stressful?
There is no simple answer to this question. Calling one place home has a severe psychological meaning. A home is a place where we should feel safe, loved, and comfortable. It should be a place where we can get away from everyday crowds and problems and enjoy our precious moments – alone or with our friends and family. During the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, people exaggerated this idea even more. Ones who didn’t realize this before are now aware that you must have a stable and safe haven.
Big Life Changes Can Be Frightening and Cause Stress
Depending on your individual circumstances, coping mechanisms, and vulnerability, a move can affect you in different ways. Some people may even define this situation as a traumatic event, and others find the inner strength to see it as a positive opportunity. No matter how you experience it and what your thoughts are about it, healthy and mature human beings are always looking for stability – and no matter what causes a significant change of that, homeostasis can lead to different emotional stages. If we go through them gradually, feelings that can come up include:
- Happiness,
- Hope,
- Fear,
- Anxiety,
- Anger,
- Sorrow,
- Desperation.
You must understand that all of these emotions are completely normal and that almost everyone experiences them in challenging situations. Don’t be harsh on yourself and trust the process. It is normal that you’re afraid of making changes, but you need to stay open for them when they can lead to something new and potentially better.
Is Moving Stressful on a Relationship?
How stressful is it to move related to your social life and relationships? This depends on many factors, mainly on how far from your original home you are going, and you are relocating alone or with your family. If you have children, responsibilities can be even bigger. You need to be aware that this could affect them on many levels. Some studies say that the younger children are, the better, but this doesn’t change much.
No matter the age, children can similarly experience this as their parents, especially if they acknowledge your negative emotions. If they are older and need to change school, this can also lead to separation anxiety. It would help if you stayed strong for them, so they can feel safe and protected. If you are alone but relocating with pets, this can be one of your strengths. No matter where you go, you’ll have your pet with you, so you can still feel like you have something to hold on to.
How to Deal With the Stress of Moving?
People find different ways to deal with overwhelming situations. And the more stability you have in other aspects of your life, the easier it will be. For example, if you have a good job, strong social support, friends, and family you love, it can be much easier to deal not only with relocation but with everything else that happens. Of course, you can still do some other things to feel better, and some will be listed further in this article.
Define Your Priorities and Find What Works Best for You
What you have to do, before jumping to coping strategies, is making some major decisions. Once you choose some of the best places to live in the Bay Area and start searching for an ideal apartment, make sure you’re aware of your priorities. For example, how far is your job, what is the average commute time, what is the cost of living in that area, or are there any good schools if you are starting a family?
Are you an outgoing person who likes to spend an active day in nature? Having a place where you can enjoy your favorite activities close to your home is a great way to relax. You also have to decide if you’re going through this process alone or you want to hire professional Bay Area movers. They can show you how to move efficiently, which will undoubtedly lower your stress levels.
You’ll Have to Say Goodbye to Many Things You Love
Unfortunately, this is also a period when you need to say goodbye to some of the old habits, and this can be related to a lot of different issues. You can miss your large and beautifully decorated garden where you had many memories, or you can miss your old job if you’re relocating for a new one. No matter how hard this gets, you have to be aware that this change happened for a reason and that it is possible to find peace and happiness no matter where you go. You can make a little going-away party, where you can relax with your friends and have fun with them.
#1 Use All the Time You Have
This can be tricky because most of the anxiety-causing situations are usually unexpected, and you feel unprepared. If you’re lucky to have enough time to work it out, you should start feeling much better. Last-minute moves can be challenging because there’s a huge pressure to finish everything in a few days. Don’t lose hope, this is also possible, but it might be more challenging than a situation where you have months to prepare yourself. Use all the time you have to go through the process step by step, and you won’t be overwhelmed.
#2 Stay Focused and Organized
Another thing you should be aware of is that when you have a feeling that you’re in control of everything, you’ll hardly experience any anxiety. But how to achieve that? You should write down a to-do list and relocation expenses checklist. Creating yourself some sort of a guide that could save you from potential chaos is crucial for the relocation process.
Having a good plan and knowing every step you’ll have to take in the future to stay organized will keep you focused and motivated. If you decide to hire a professional moving company in the Bay Area, it might be a good idea to check with them what are the most commonly forgotten items to pack and also items movers won’t move. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and save you from additional stress.
Rest and Eat Well
Make a strict schedule of everyday relocation-related activities, but don’t forget about your physical health. People usually make this mistake during stressful periods, and it might lead to even more significant issues. In times like this, you have to stay extra careful about your nutrition, sleep, and other energy resources to help you achieve goals.
#3 Start With Small Steps
This is a good stress-relief method in every situation, not only relocations but it can be described as one of the relocation hacks. Dividing one bigger goal into smaller steps can help you stay satisfied and motivated by achieving several smaller successes. One of the worst things to do to yourself, especially if you’re not very experienced, is trying to accomplish some impossible tasks.
For example, if you don’t have the slightest idea how to pack dishes or how to pack plates and push yourself to pack a whole kitchen in one hour, the chances that you won’t succeed in this and that you’ll get discouraged and disappointed are severe. For example, if you have a lot of storage inventory, you have to relocate, be realistic and give yourself enough time to do this.
#4 Ask Your Friends for Help Around Your Home – Whether Some Furniture Needs to Be Assembled or for Emotional Support
This can also be applied to any other challenging situations, not only relocations. Whenever you are feeling like you are facing a crisis, your friends should be there to help. Letting them know what you are currently experiencing and how that affects you will provoke empathy, and they will react to it in the best way they can.
Some will offer you emotional support, and others can even show you some tricks they know, like how to pack fragile items or how to pack books, give you tips from their own experiences and offer you assistance with packing. They can even assist you after you move in and don’t know how to assemble some furniture pieces. Just make sure you tell them about your feelings and express what your current needs are, and everything can be much easier.
#5 Hire Professional Movers in the Bay Area and Avoid Moving Stress
Once you get familiar with San Francisco tenants’ rights and file a San Francisco rental application for some of the Bay Area towns, it’s time to deal with other technical matters. Golden Bay Relocation is one of the highest-rated Bay Area moving companies that can provide you with many convenient services, including residential relocation and commercial relocation facilities. Our knowledgeable packers and movers can assist you with everything, so you’ll go through the process without experiencing any inconvenience. Contact us today if you have any questions, and we will provide you with all the necessary information.