A physical move is an emotional move

Moving to a new home can be an exciting experience. Whether it's a matter of changing housing, moving to a new city or migrating to a new country, moving can create the expectation of starting a new life completely different from the one we had. When faced with the news, many of us begin to imagine what our new phase will be like: how our habits will change, what places we will frequent, what type of people we will socialize with and a thousand other things. However, the amount of expectations we create in our heads—combined with other factors—can make moving an experience detrimental to our mental health.

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The reality is that moving is ——According to various specialists—— one of the five most stressful experiences a human being can experience, along with the death of a loved one, a divorce or separation, a chronic illness and the loss of a job. This is because there are several factors that come into play when it comes to moving house, but the most important are probably change, money and time. First of all, it's extremely common for us to feel anxious when faced with change, since it's a completely unknown experience. On the other hand, moving involves not just one, but multiple significant expenses that can affect our financial stability. Finally, to move to a new home, it is essential that we make a considerable investment of time: to find the space that will welcome us, to pack all our belongings, to carry our possessions from one place to another and hundreds of other details that we have to consider.

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With all of these things in mind, it's not surprising that our overall well-being is affected during this period of time. Many people even experience clear symptoms stemming from the stress of moving. Here are some of the bodily symptoms that a move can bring:

• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Decreased immune system defenses
• Uncontrollable tremors
• Pain in other parts of the body

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However, these are not the only effects that moving house has on our well-being. Our mental health can be significantly affected by this transition, and here are some signs:

• Trouble relaxing
• Need to isolate yourself
• Decrease in productivity
• Lack of concentration
• Negative Thoughts
• Difficulties to get organized
• Constant concern
• Inability to make decisions
• Recurrent forgetfulness
• Feelings of distress and overwhelm
• Feeling overwhelmed

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The effects of a move can greatly deteriorate both our physical and mental health. Fortunately, if you're about to move, there are a few things you can do to make this process easier.

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1. The more information you have, the better: Do as much research as you can about the place you are moving to. This will help you have a clearer idea of what you can expect so you can manage your expectations and make it easier for you to deal with change.
2. Organize your project: With all the things that moving involves, it's important to try to organize it as you would with a project. Create a to-do list, set deadlines, and manage your time accordingly. These tools will keep you from becoming overwhelmed and will help you to meet all your to-dos.
3. Ask for help: When going through such complex situations, it is essential that you activate your support network. Reach out to your friends and family to support you with your to-do list and to go through the emotional process. If you think your mental health is being affected, seek professional help.

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In Mindsurf, you can find multiple tools that will help you manage your emotions such as meditations, support groups and treatment plans specific to your needs.

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