The Mindful Move: Stress Busting So You Can Get Packed!

Moving is a lot of work. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. In fact, 58% of people say they’d rather plan a wedding than a move! But when you have to move, you have to move. Use these three easy mindfulness exercises to control your stress levels so you can stay focused and on task. They’re simple, easy and free!

Mindfulness Move Tip #1: Focus on Your Breathing

When the tower of moving boxes gets to be too much and you’ve lost the packing tape for the thirty-seventh time, it’s time to take a moment, stop what you’re doing and focus on your breathing. Put the move on pause, stop thinking about all the things that need to be done, and concentrate on your breathing. Pay attention to what it feels like when you breathe in: feel your lungs expand with each new breath. Pay attention to what it feels like when you breathe out: let your feelings of anxiety and stress go with each exhalation. Do this for a minute – you’ll be surprised how much better you feel! Are you exceptionally stressed out? Focus on your breathing for a longer period of time. A five minute break can be extremely restorative.

Mindfulness Move Tip #2: Look Out the Window

You can’t pack up the view and take it with you. Counter moving stress with periodic breaks to look out the window. Be a mindful observer. Pay attention to what you see; try to capture the scene in your memory. It helps to look at natural elements in the landscape, such as a flower, tree, or even the clouds overhead. Study this element for a minute or two. Focusing your attention this way can reduce feelings of anxiety, overwhelm and stress. Repeat as needed.

Mindfulness Move Tip #3: Let the Music Move You

Music has the power to soothe the savage beast, and it can definitely help a homeowner take the edge off of moving day stress! When you need to, take a break to listen to just one song. Really listen to the song. Tune into the singer’s voice; pay attention to the instruments. What are the lyrics about? How does the music make you feel? Mindfulness is the art of truly being in the moment, and music makes that easier.

Bonus Tip: Mindful Delegation

One of the benefits of mindful living is that you can develop a deeper understanding of who you are, as well as what your capacities and limits are. Nobody can do everything, and it’s okay to get help with large, overwhelming jobs like moving. You can have a professional moving company handle the entire move for you, or choose to do the packing yourself and have the movers handle the rest!