Dealing with Moving Stress: Top Relaxation Techniques


Moving to a new home can be one of the most stressful times. You are uprooting your life and changing all your routines and familiarities. With careful planning, you can minimize the stress, but no matter how much you plan, things can (and will!) go wrong.
Having a few relaxation techniques up your sleeve is essential for when the going gets tough during the move. Today, we’ll explore some effective relaxation techniques designed to help reduce move-induced anxiety and get you through the process virtually unscathed!
Understanding Moving Stress
Most people are happy and excited about moving to their new home. So why do we all experience such stress around it?

Moving stress refers to the emotional strain caused by relocating from one place to another. Even if it’s a happy occasion, the change makes us feel overwhelmed, fearful, and uncertain about the future.
The pressure of packing and unpacking, uncertainty of new surroundings, and fear of the unknown are just a few reasons moving might stress us out. We may also be leaving behind familiar people, places, and routines. Thankfully, with the right mindset and approach, moving stress can be managed, allowing one to embrace the opportunities and adventures that lie ahead.
The Impact of Moving Stress

It’s vital to address these feelings and find healthy ways to cope. If left unchecked, moving stress can have long-term implications, leading to depression, relationship problems, and physical health issues. You must take care of yourself during the moving process and give yourself time to adjust.
If you feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to seek help from loved ones or a professional.
Top Relaxation Techniques
Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, exercise, yoga, and meditation are all beneficial for reducing moving-associated stress. Finding what works best for you may take trial and error, but your well-being is worth it!
1. Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are a proven way to reduce stress and find calm. Here’s how to do it:
- Sit comfortably, ideally in a chair, with your feet resting lightly on the floor.
- Start by taking a slow, deep breath in through your nose, letting your belly fill with air.
- Hold for three seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth, pushing all the air out.
- Repeat five times, lengthening your inhales and exhales as you go.
Try closing your eyes and visualizing each breath, filling your body with peace and contentment. Repeat a few times each day or anytime you start to feel anxious. You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. Give it a try, and feel the stress melt away!
2. Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, acknowledging your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Meditation, however, involves intentionally focusing on something particular, such as your breath.
Both these practices can help reduce stress and improve your mental wellness during a move. By practicing mindfulness and meditation, you can develop tools to better cope with the stress of relocating and approach the process with a more positive mindset. So take a deep breath, focus on the present moment, and let’s tackle this move together!

While meditation may require more time, technique, focus, and practice, mindfulness is easy to do. Here’s how:
- Find a quiet spot to sit. You may also lie down on your bed or the couch if you prefer.
- Close your eyes.
- Take a few deep breaths to calm the mind and body. Try to focus your attention on your breath and the physical sensations of your body.
- If your thoughts start to wander (which they inevitably will), gently redirect your attention back to your breath.
The more you practice, the easier it will become to stay present and mindful throughout your day.
Once you grasp the concept of mindfulness, it’s easy to implement it into your daily life. Anytime you feel stressed or your mind starts to race, pull your attention to what’s going on with your body. Take inventory of each body part and how it feels at that moment. Notice your breath, how cool the air is when you breathe in, how warm it is when you breathe out.
3. Physical Activity
Staying physically active is scientifically proven to alleviate stress, boost energy, and give you a shot of feel-good hormones. And when you’re planning a move, you need all the stress-relieving help you can get!

For best results, choose a type of exercise you enjoy. It should be something you can do in short bursts so you can squeeze it into your busy schedule.
4. Additional Support and Resources
Dealing with stress can be overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there are good resources in the Toronto area to help you cope. It’s essential to ask for help when you need it, and if you’re moving to a new city where you don’t know many people, feelings of loneliness and isolation may compound the issue.
Click here for a list of local resources to consider when things get to be too much:
Final Thoughts
Moving is a stressful time, but with a few simple techniques, you’ll get through it with flying colours! Practice deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, stay active, and seek support when you need it. Your new life lies ahead, so don’t let stress prevent you from enjoying every minute life has to offer.