When you are moving, you can experience a lot of unrest and tension. You pack boxes, say goodbye to your old environment and take your first steps in your new home. This process often causes stress, a chaotic mind and sometimes even sleepless nights. We at Moving would like to help you make this period easier. In this guide you will learn how to limit moving stress, what you can do about extreme tiredness after moving and how to quickly feel at home in your new environment. So why is moving so difficult?

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Moving stress

Many people underestimate how stressful a move can be. It can sometimes feel like you are turning your whole life upside down in a short period of time. Your mind is racing and you wonder if you like your new place. In the meantime, you are lugging moving boxes around and looking for a way to stay calm. This can be difficult during a move because a move will simply cause stress.

Moving stress

However, there are clever tricks to minimize moving stress. We often see that people who have just moved still feel displaced, which contributes to fatigue. You may recognize this: you live between boxes, are dealing with homesickness after a move and miss your familiar place. During the move you will become nostalgic and this can of course be a great source of stress.

Moving and stress

Fortunately, there is hope. In this blog, we will first explain why moving can be so stressful. Then you will discover how to combat fatigue, what self-care entails and how to recover quickly during your move. We will also give you tips to feel at home quickly. This will make your transition to your new home a lot more pleasant. It is important to reduce stress at all times.

Why is moving so stressful?

Moving is one of the most stressful events in our lives. If you look at the lists online, moving is often near the top. This has to do with major changes, physical exertion and emotional burden. You say goodbye to your familiar neighbourhood and you get to know a new environment. Below you will find three important stress factors.

Stress factor 1: aversion to change and getting used to the new environment

People are creatures of habit. We build safe routines in familiar surroundings. A move breaks that pattern and puts you in unfamiliar territory for a while. Then you may wonder: "Will I feel at home here quickly?" That uncertainty causes stress. You may regret the move if it doesn't go well, even if you've been looking forward to it for a long time. You will experience stress, but don't be afraid to ask for help.

Stress Factor 2: Fear of Regret When Moving to the New Neighborhood

You may find yourself worrying a lot about your new neighborhood. Are you thinking about missing your old home or circle of friends? Or about the school not being a good fit for your kids? These kinds of thoughts increase your stress and you sleep less. This makes you feel exhausted faster and makes it even harder to get everything done. Once the move is over, you will probably laugh about these stressful times.

Stress factor 3: fatigue and the new home

Moving is tough. You lift cabinets, push boxes, do administrative tasks and you also try to eat healthy. Sometimes it is not possible to take enough breaks, so you get extremely tired more quickly after moving. This problem also arises because you become emotionally exhausted by the uncertainty and the hustle and bustle. We have given you a number of tips and these are extra important to remember for peace of mind.

Are you moving? Move relaxed

If you are moving soon, you can make a good preparation. Make clear different lists of what you still need to arrange. Take these three tips to heart:

Ask for help. Friends and family often want to lend a hand.
Plan enough time. Take a few days off. It will give you peace.
Compare moving quotes. A professional moving company saves a lot of hassle and lifts difficult pieces of furniture for you.

This approach helps you to avoid stress and to enter your new place fresh. Sometimes it costs a bit more time or money, but it saves you a lot of physical and mental strength. A change of environment, especially after the death of a loved one, can be difficult. And then you also have to move to a new home and environment. Try to take time off and especially make social contacts. Have you arranged a few days off? Make sure you get enough sleep. Especially as the moving date approaches.

Moving with children

Moving with children requires extra attention. They often become very attached to their old neighbourhood. They can worry about new friends and the school they are going to attend. This creates extra stress.

Talk to your children about the move. Explain what they can expect.
Let them help. Give them a small task when packing and moving, such as decorating their moving boxes. This way they experience the move as something positive.
Take time to get used to it. Go for a walk together in the new neighborhood or visit the playground.

A mother told us that her children were afraid to make new friends. She invited the children from the neighborhood for a scavenger hunt through the street. Everyone enjoyed it and the children quickly felt at ease. It is logical that your new environment is scary and that everyone needs some time to get used to it. With professional moving assistance, you may be able to decide to give the move a place. American research has shown that this often helps.

Self-care during your move and tips to prevent stress

You may notice that your pace is high during the move, but you hardly give yourself any rest. Be careful with this. Self-care is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Eat healthy and drink enough water. You need energy to get through the day.
Take breaks, even if it feels like you don't need them. Your brain and body need rest.
Do something fun after a few hours of packing. Watch a series, call a friend or pick up a book.

Stress surrounding the move is annoying

Self-care is also emotional. Moving means saying goodbye to your old place. Give yourself a moment to process that. Try to cherish the memories you have in your old home with gratitude and look forward to the new experiences that await you. Enlist help to attack unpacked boxes, for example.

Clear away the moving boxes as quickly as possible

Your new home often doesn't feel like home as long as there are moving boxes everywhere. So start unpacking right away. Tackle the most important rooms first. Think of your kitchen and bedroom. That way you have the basics to eat and sleep normally. It might be useful to make a moving plan.

Sort your stuff right away. What you no longer need can be thrown away, so it doesn't pile up.
Use labels on boxes. This way you know where everything goes.
Tidy up in stages. Don't force yourself to do everything in one day.

When you fill up the cabinets and get rid of those boxes, you see the space come to life. It gives you a sense of control and calm.

Spend enough time in your new home

Take a walk around your new home without doing any work. Take that space to experience it. That way you will get used to it faster and see how you can place your furniture. If you invite friends over for dinner, you will immediately feel more settled.

Tips to quickly feel at home in the surroundings of your new home

For example, throw open your doors, let in some fresh air, and explore every corner. Imagine what it will be like to sit here at the dining table. You will notice that you will quickly feel at home as you spend more and more time in your new environment.

Avoid stress and hire a moving company

A professional moving company can take away a lot of stress. You don't have to carry or arrange everything yourself. This saves energy and reduces your worries. You also avoid the risk of physical complaints. Movers do this work every day and know exactly how to move heavy furniture.

See what your budget allow and decide whether you want to outsource this.
Make clear agreements about the services you use. Do you have them packed and transported, or perhaps unpacked?
Request multiple quotes so you have options.

Moving yourself is possible, but it often takes a lot of time. A moving company offers certainty and guarantees that everything will go smoothly, which will reduce your stress. Make sure you leave your current home in good condition. You can find out what you can do about it in our checklist. We are happy to give you tips.

Request free quotes from moving

Do you want to know what a move costs approximately? At Moving you can compare free quotes from multiple moving companies. This gives an overview of the costs and prevents financial surprises. You only have to fill in a few details and you will quickly receive proposals from professional movers.

Advantages:

You save time and money by comparing.
You choose a party that suits your needs.
You gain more control over the process.

We are happy to help you make your move stress-free. With the right information, you can plan everything tightly and go to your new home with confidence.

Causes of Extremely Tired After Moving

1. Physical overload

You are lifting and carrying more than usual. You may be doing a lot without taking breaks, which exhausts your body. This may not be helpful during such busy days.

2. Mental load

You arrange address changes, conclude contracts and process feelings of parting and uncertainty. This combination of emotional stimuli and practical tasks makes you tired.

3. Lack of sleep

Those who worry often sleep badly. You worry about possible problems in your new place or you keep making plans in your head. This lack of rest can lead to extreme tiredness after moving.

Symptoms – How to recognize overtiredness after a move?

Chronic fatigue. You wake up tired, even after eight hours of sleep.
Lack of concentration. You forget simple things or lose the thread in conversations.
Quick irritation. You react strongly to minor problems and can't tolerate much.
Lower resistance. You catch a cold more quickly or don't feel completely fit.

Often these complaints disappear when you find peace and regularity again. Eat healthy, exercise enough and keep a fixed sleep schedule. Then you can gradually recharge.

How long does being extremely tired last after a move?

Usually, fatigue symptoms decrease after a few weeks. This also depends on your lifestyle and how quickly you get used to your new environment. If your symptoms persist or get worse, a GP can advise you. Give yourself time to process everything calmly and get used to it.

Practical tips to tackle fatigue

Plan rest periods. Set small goals each day and then take a short break.
Ask for help. If you can't do it alone, get help from friends or family.
Explore the neighborhood. Stroll through the streets, visit a market or talk to new neighbours, it will feel like home faster.
Provide structure. Try to eat and sleep at regular times, then your body will recover faster.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is moving really that stressful? I want less stress

Yes, moving is often cited as one of the most stressful times in life.

How do I deal with homesickness after a move and regret after the move?

Try to focus on the positive aspects of your new neighbourhood and establish new routines. Plan get-togethers and make your home cosy.

When do I hire movers?

As soon as you see that you cannot or do not want to arrange everything yourself. Their help saves you time, hassle and sometimes physical complaints.

What if I don't feel at home quickly?

Take your time, that is perfectly normal. Decorate your home with personal items and make new contacts.

Personal experiences – stories of others

More and more people are sharing their experiences on forums or social media. For example, I spoke to a father of two daughters who panicked during the move. He let them pack their own rooms, so that they felt involved. They put stickers on their boxes and were allowed to choose where their new bed would be. After a few weeks, it felt like they had been living there for years.

Ask for help

Another example is someone who just moved and immediately explored the neighborhood by going to work at the local café on his laptop. He introduced himself to the owner and started talking to other guests. Within a month he felt like a full-fledged part of that community.

Summary and final tips

Moving brings with it many changing circumstances. You say goodbye to your old home and plunge into a new phase. This can give you stress and lead to extreme tiredness after moving. However, with good planning and self-care, you can make this period much more pleasant.

Make lists and plan ahead.
Unpack in stages to avoid being overwhelmed.
Choose a professional moving company if that fits within your means.
Make sure you get rest and enough sleep.
Give yourself time to emotionally adjust to your new home.

We are happy to help you

Want to avoid a stressful experience? Request free quotes from Moving and discover which moving companies can make your move go more smoothly. Feel free to share your own stories or ask questions in the comments. We love to learn from each other's experiences.

Regular updates

We regularly update this article with new insights. Feel free to come back when you want to know more about moving. We at Moving are ready with advice, support and useful tools to make your move a success. Take your time, take good care of yourself and enjoy your new place. You deserve to feel at home quickly.

(On behalf of the Moving team)