Most people are aware that moving is a complicated and time-consuming process, but people often neglect to consider how it can affect your mental health. There are a lot of great reasons to be excited by a move, and moving can help you take advantage of exciting career opportunities or be closer to your loved ones. Even in the best situation, though, a big move can be disruptive and cause stress and anxiety that can be hard to manage on your own. If you’re planning to move in the near future, keep reading to find out more about how hard moving can be on your mental health.
How hard is a move on your mental health?
There’s no denying that moving is difficult, which is why it’s important to find professional help to make your life a little easier during the move. Trying to do everything by yourself is the perfect recipe for stressing yourself out and making your move unnecessarily complicated. Hiring movers is one of the best ways to take some of the work off your plate. Just make sure you look for a moving company with years of experience providing quality service, like these Phoenix movers. If you have specific needs, like climate-controlled storage or junk removal, you can ask about whether or not the moving company can address them.
There has actually been a lot of research on the psychological impact of moving, and most of it indicates that the process isn’t easy on anyone. Sometimes moving is necessary, though, for either personal or professional reasons, and it’s important that you’re cognizant of the stress that it can cause. Long-distance moves can also require putting space between you and your friends or family, which can cause additional emotional strain.
The good news is that moving isn’t exclusively negative for our mental wellness. Trying new things has been shown to have a positive effect on your happiness, and there are some potential mental benefits. In one study, researchers asked participants to list their most memorable experiences, and over a quarter of them had occurred before or after a move. Some scientists believe this is due to a “relocation bump,” as our memory is more effective with reference points like a cross-country move.
What can you do to take care of yourself during a move?
Talk therapy has been shown to provide relief to people in a wide variety of stressful situations. Teletherapy is a great option for anyone who is planning a move or in the middle of one, as you won’t need to switch therapists due to relocation. You can get more details on how teletherapy works by getting in touch with an office that is accepting new patients, like the Therapy Group of Charlotte. If you want to find out more about their services, you can visit their website at therapistsincharlotte.com.
Exploring your surroundings can also help boost your mood and reduce your stress. Getting to know the place where you live can help get rid of anxiety that is being caused by unfamiliarity. It’s understandable that people are afraid of starting over in a new place, but spending time finding places you enjoy in your neighborhood and acclimating to your surroundings is one of the best ways to get more comfortable in your new home.
There’s a lot of research that supports the idea that moving can be a traumatic experience. Even for those who have a positive experience, it can still be stress-inducing. A local move may come with a less dramatic adjustment period, but you should plan to give yourself time to adjust when you’re moving far away from your current location. You can even look into your options for therapeutic treatment, which can be incredibly beneficial for your overall health and wellness. No matter what approach you take, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for the mental toll that moving can take.
