Moving out anxiety is the real deal. There are many ways that you can reduce your stress and anxiety levels while moving to a new home. It is important to look after yourself during the whole process, not merely mentally, but physically, as well. Here are some tips on how to make your moving experience healthy, by making it stress and anxiety free.
One of the best ways, as you know, to forgo a stressful moving process and avoid moving anxiety is by planning in advance, a lot in advance. When you have a plan, you automatically have peace of mind about what the next steps are. You will also have time to make a plan b just in case something unexpected comes up.
Your moving schedule should actually start with a pause at the beginning of the day. This is so that you can get your mind in order, focus on the tasks ahead and avoid moving anxiety. A pause in the morning can also give you a chance to re-energize before the planned daily moving process begins.
Remember, to also plan for breaks while doing your daily moving routine. Breaks can help you to regather your thoughts, or give you a chance to step away and see what you can do better. You can also plan mealtimes; we all know that during a busy day, it’s easy to forget to eat.
During your breaks, try to take your mind off the move completely by doing your favorite hobby or immersing yourself in a good book. You can also tackle the daily New York Times Wordle or a Sudoku puzzle. Nothing clears the mind like a nice walk. You, and many other people, cannot go from task to task at the snap of their fingers.
One of the best uses of a break is to do some exercise. This is a great way for you to escape the moving process for a bit while making your body healthy, and improving your cardio. You do not have to “bulk up” by hitting the gym hard. You can do simple exercises during your breaks such as taking a walk or jogging. If you have a longer break you can also do some yoga, or even take a swim. Exercising will energize you and help you focus on moving tasks later on.
If you have something to use as weights, be it gym weights themselves, or filled bottles of water, you can also do strength training while at home. Strength training can improve your flexibility, build your strength, and increase your muscle mass. Doing these types of exercises can give you more energy since muscle loss can cause a decrease in energy.
You do not even need weights or to join a gym to improve your strength, you can use your only body weight by doing sit-ups, push-ups, squats, etc. Doing a few reps, a day is better than nothing, and it will give your mind a chance to focus on something else besides the move for a bit. You should try to do 10 minutes of exercise at least twice a week. This is only a suggestion, and it can also include the following:
If you can do more, of course, you are welcome to. Try not to overextend yourself during your exercise breaks, and remember to go at your own pace.
These exercises can be a mixture of Pilates, Yoga, and stretching. All you would need is space to work out for a few reps while going at the pace that you are comfortable with. Please be sure to first consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program and if you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your healthcare provider.
The first exercise is known as “Bird Dogs.” What you would want to do is to get on all fours with your back towards the ceiling. Make sure that you are wearing protection for your knees and hands if need be, or that you have a mat under you to help with the position, or even a pillow while you are getting used to the exercise.
Make sure that your knees are under your hips, directly as well as that your arms are under your shoulders and not at an angle. This exercise works your core muscles as well as helps to improve your balance. When you are ready, slowly outstretch your left leg until your ankle and knee are in line with your hip.
At the same time, outstretch your right arm so that your wrist and elbow are in line with your shoulders. Hold for a count of about 2 seconds and return your left leg and right arm to the position that it was before. The same thing with the other arm and leg. Aim for about 10 reps for each side for about three sets where you have a 60-second break between the sets.
If this exercise you would have to get yourself into a push-up position where your hands are directly under your shoulders. If it is possible your fit should be together, but if this is too difficult you can have a slightly wide stance between your feet for balance. Make certain that your hips and back are inline as well as tuck in your tailbone slightly. Squeeze your muscles in your glutes and core, and hold them for about 30 to 60 seconds. Try to do two sets of this with a pause of 60 seconds between each set.
This exercise may require you to hold something in your hands. It can be weight, tins of food, or filled-up water bottles. To start the exercise, you would have to be standing with your palms, holding the items, and facing down to the floor. It is also important to drop your shoulders to be away from your ears.
Softly bend your elbows while keeping your arms together as you raise the “weights” in front of you until they are at the height of your shoulders. This is the “I” shape. They do not go above your head. While you are lifting your arms you should pull your rib cage down, and inhale. Put your arms down to the starting position while exhaling. You repeat this movement but this time your arms are away from each other at an angle. This is the “Y” shape.
Remember to inhale when you lift and exhale when your arms go down. The “T” shape is the same motion except your arms are moving up from your side instead of in front of you. You should try to aim for four reps with 60 seconds in between each one. These are just some of the exercises you can do during your breaks. There are many more exercises for over 50s that you can find online that would suit you better. A little goes a long way so go at your own pace even if you cannot reach the suggested amount of reps at the beginning.
Exercise, planning, and break taking is not the only way you can reduce your moving anxiety and stress. There is also making sure that you eat well, and get enough sleep. This is a rule of thumb throughout life not only for moving anxiety, as you know, but people tend to overlook them while in the moving process. You should plan your meals, and your ingredients to keep yourself healthy. Eating well can also give you a longer boost of energy to help you complete the tasks ahead.
Another good piece of advice is to make sure your sleep schedule works for you. That is when you wake up in the morning you are recharged and ready for the tasks ahead. Do not skip out on sleeping to do more tasks. This is because there is a high chance that the moving tasks will not be done well since you are tired and the following day will be lacking in energy and focus. This is common knowledge, but a little reminder would not hurt.
If you need help you should ask for it. This can be for anything from helping you pack, move or to helping you find fun exercises to do. Asking for help is a strength, and it can also be a way to vent out your frustration which can reduce your stress as well as moving anxiety.
If you want to decrease your moving anxiety, because who does not, you should consider working with AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft. Shyft organizes your whole moving process for you. The company doesn’t actually do the move, Shyft makes your move better by finding the perfect moving company from its huge network of independently verified movers. Get in touch with Shyft by calling 1-888-838-5981 or check out the AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft website.
Shyft will have one of their talented Move Coaches give you a call at the time that suits you. This will be done through the ShyftNext mobile app which is free to download. The app allows you to video call with the Move Coach where you can see their face. It is also used as a way for the Move Coach to make your inventory list. This list will be 95% accurate and you will receive the list half an hour from the end of the call.
When you have added changes to the list, and have sent it back to the Move Coach, they will then take your moving details (excluding the personal ones) and your inventory list to Shyft secure bidding platform. This is where many licensed, qualified, and experienced moving companies bid on moving projects which can include yours. The process is helpful to decrease costs and make sure that you are paired with the right mover.
Shyft will gather moving quotes from different moving companies. You will get this, along with information about them so that you can make an informed decision. All the moving quotes are fixed. If you have a question or need advice, you can also contact your Move Coach 24/7 including over the weekends, and in the evenings. Shyft is here to take the stress and anxiety out of your moving process. Contact Shyft today to learn more, and let your stress-free moving experience begin.
