Moving house is widely regarded as one of the most stressful life events, often ranking alongside divorce and bereavement in terms of the emotional toll it can take. It’s a process that can feel overwhelming, not just because of the physical effort involved but also due to the emotional and psychological strain it places on you.

This blog explores why moving house is so stressful and draining, and most importantly, we’ll provide practical tips to help you manage this transition with greater ease.

Acceptance

It may sound obvious, but accepting the fact that packing up and moving your entire life is going to be stressful is a good start. Acknowledging stress as a natural response to change allows us to manage it better. Mind, a mental health charity in the UK, notes that acceptance of stress is important to managing it effectively.

Planning and Pace

Planning plays a pivotal role in dealing with moving house stress, helping you to regain a sense of control, which is crucial in managing stress. When you have a clear plan in place, the overwhelming nature of the move becomes more manageable, allowing you to approach each task with a calmer mindset.

A detailed plan, including timeline and costs, will help you get organised, making tasks less overwhelming. Break tasks into manageable chunks. Pack one room at a time or set a 20‑minute timer to make the process feel far less daunting.

A Chance to De Clutter

Moving home is a great opportunity to cleanse and streamline your belongings. Start early and begin your clear-out 4–6 weeks before your move. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

Use the four-box method – Label boxes: Keep, Donate, Sell, Bin. Be honest with yourself.

Take it one room at a time – Breaking it down reduces being overwhelmed

Be realistic – If you haven’t used it in the last year, you probably won’t miss it.

Think sustainably – Donate usable items to local charities, recycle what you can, and reduce waste.

Keep Your Routines and Self Care

Whether that’s a morning coffee at your favourite local café, your daily walk with friends or the dog, or your favourite playlist—these small rituals can help anchor you when everything else feels in up in the air and somewhat out of your control! Self-care includes maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, ample sleep, and taking breaks during moving tasks. It may sound clichéd, but laughter genuinely can help reduce stress - so keep an upbeat playlist on in the background while you’re packing or dealing with other moving tasks.

Delegation

None of us are very good at asking for help, me included ! But lean on friends, family, and bring in professionals when you need it to do that deep clean or furniture de-assemble. You can hire specialist help through services like Taskrabbit. You don’t have to do everything alone, sharing the load can make the experience more exciting and positive.

Create a “First Night” Box

A buyer mentioned this to me recently and I think it’s a fantastic idea. Include essentials like toiletries, chargers, cosy clothes, and snacks. Having familiar comforts ready on day one alleviate some of the stress of moving day, providing you with a sense of security. It’s a small but effective way to ensure that your basic needs are met, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

Give Yourself Permission to Pause
Remember it’s okay to take breaks and it’s okay to feel emotional. Moving is a huge feat—so be kind to yourself throughout the process.

Focus on the Positives of Your New Home

Amidst the stress of moving, it’s easy to overlook the excitement of starting fresh in a new home. Take time to visualise what your new space will be like and plan how you’ll make it your own. This shift in focus can help to counterbalance feelings of anxiety.

Remember, it’s also normal to feel unsettled once you’ve moved into your new home, particularly if it’s a place that’s unfamiliar and feels different from your previous home. These feelings can sometimes lead to worries that you’ve made the wrong decision or that you’ll never feel at ease in your new surroundings.

To manage these feelings, give yourself time to adjust. Remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel out of place initially. Try to create a sense of familiarity by unpacking key items first - such as your favourite photos, cushions, or other personal touches that make a house feel like home. Gradually, as you settle in, these unsettling feelings should start to subside.

Allow Yourself to Grieve

Moving house often involves a sense of loss, especially if you’re leaving behind a place that holds sentimental value. It’s important to allow yourself to grieve this loss rather than pushing those feelings aside.

Acknowledging and processing your emotions is a crucial part of adapting to the change. By giving yourself permission to grieve, you create space for healing, which can make the transition to your new home smoother.

Take Time to Settle Into Your New Home

Once the move is complete, give yourself time to settle in gradually. There’s no need to rush the unpacking process. Take it one step at a time, allowing yourself to adjust to your new surroundings.

By easing into your new environment, you reduce the pressure to have everything perfect immediately. This gradual approach can help you feel more at home and reduce the stress associated with adapting to a new space.

Looking After Your Mental Health – a Check List

A move can stir up excitement, stress, nostalgia, and uncertainty all at once. A vendor who worked in mental health and wellbeing recommended a few grounding practices that can help:

Check in with yourself regularly—How am I feeling today

Mindfulness - Consider incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even journaling your thoughts and feelings.

Stay connected—Talk to someone you trust about the highs and lows

Get outside—Fresh air and movement work wonders for clarity

Celebrate progress—Every box packed, every viewing completed, every decision made is a win in the bigger picture.

It’s so hard to step back and stop, when you’re on the speed train of a house move but wellbeing matters just as much as the logistics so focus on you as much as the bricks and mortar !

If we can help you navigate your next move, pick up the phone or drop us a message to let us know how here.