A long-distance move can be incredibly stressful. Up to what extent?
More than one in 10 Americas say it’s more stressful than a week in jail. Meanwhile, 23 percent think this activity is more stressful than planning a wedding and 27 percent consider it more stressful than a job interview.
Apart from stress, moving can also trigger anxiety. Although some behaviors motivate you to take action and encourage you to be efficient, they can also interfere with your life.
How Do You Know You’re Having Moving Anxiety?
You will know you’re experiencing moving anxiety through emotional and physical symptoms. These signs may vary among individuals, and sometimes they don’t happen to everyone. Anxiety affects your feelings in various ways, such as:
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Restlessness
- Paranoia
- Anticipating the worst
- Memory lapse
The physical symptoms include:
- Upset stomach
- Twitching
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Insomnia
- Headaches
In some cases, you might experience an anxiety attack, which is when the feeling of apprehension, worry, or distress become overwhelming. It usually builds slowly and may worsen as a stressful event comes.
Forget Old Habits
You have probably read rules about having a stress-free move. Some of these rules, however, might not be true anymore or were never true. Here are the top three typical moving practices to pass up so you can reduce the stress that triggers your anxiety.
- DIY approach
Get help from family members or friends when you’ve decided to move. But what if they are busy with their own lives? Then you need to seek professional moving services because relocating to, for example, Fort Lauderdale from Panama City can put a lot of strain on you. Professionals also have the skills and equipment to keep your items safe during the moving process.
- Packing overnight
Packing is a tedious process. You should pack at least six to eight weeks before the moving day to ensure you don’t leave anything. Packing your valuables a day or night before would stress you out more and cause panic.
Make a checklist of the things you need to pack to serve as your guide. Include a timeline and a rough budget on your list. Writing down your moving plans helps you progress smoothly and minimizes unpleasant surprises later on.
- Not labeling your items
Some would say labeling your boxes is not important, but it is. Not knowing where your valuables are can make you feel anxious. Organize the items you’re packing, as well, rather than throwing random items in boxes.
Labeling your boxes helps avoid losing them during your long distance move. You can also locate the items you need easily once you have arrived at your new location. When labeling your boxes, don’t forget to indicate whether the box contains fragile or breakable items. The right label minimizes the risk of damage.
Overcoming Moving Anxiety
Reach out to your family and friends if the moving process is beginning to overwhelm you. You can also talk to other people who have been through this situation. Keep in mind that you’re not alone.
Moving requires time to have everything done. Sometimes you need to break old habits to make the process work in your favor.