How to cope with the stress of international relocation

A nervous girl (maybe the stress of international relocation has got to her).

If you have moved enough times, you may have noticed a familiar pattern in the process. At first, there are a few days of pure excitement because you’ll be moving to another country. After that, the hard work starts and suddenly you realize that you will need much more time than you thought you would. That’s when many people realize that they don’t know how to cope with the stress of international relocation.

Nevertheless, the moving day arrives. This is a long day, full of sweat and heavy lifting, and somehow with all the moving preparations, you get through all of that too. Now you’re sitting in your new home, thinking that you can finally relax, and then you realize that there is still a lot to do. You have to unpack, check for damage, and reorder everything. And in meantime, your job, kids, pets, and life in general, all continue to seek your attention.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that moving is made of stress only. There are many nice things that are included and it always works out well in the end. It’s just that you have to know how to cope with the stress of international relocation to make your life easier.

Accept the stress

The first step in overcoming stress is acceptance. If you remember right away that there has to be some stress involved in the moving process, you’re more likely to be able to deal with it when it appears later on. If you think about it you’ll realize that many times in life you have accepted stress as a normal part of a certain process. In school or at your job you are certainly exposed to a lot of stress, and yet you see it as a normal thing. Why would this be any different? Stress can actually be good for you in some instances. But, if you need a thing that you can do to relieve some of that pressure, practicing karate has many benefits regarding stress relief.

Give yourself time

One of the biggest causes of moving stress is – time. Specifically, not having enough time is what gives us a hard time. You may not be able to perform a stress-free relocation, but one of the best ways to cope with the stress of international relocation is to give yourself enough time to deal with everything. The sooner you realize how much time will you need to pack your apartment, the easier it will be for you. Understand that packing studio apartment takes up to two days, a two-bedroom home needs three to four days to be ready, and so on. Try not to leave anything for the last minute, as doing so is usually the main source of stress when relocating.

A clock in sand.
Giving yourself enough time will help you to cope with the stress of international relocation.

Start with the smaller things

If you are feeling paralyzed by moving stress, or you simply do not know where to begin packing all of your stuff, start with the small things. You will notice that you’ll get to the bigger ones in no time. It is important to get something done, and that is basically anything. Put all your books in boxes, or pack a single drawer from the kitchen. Making progress is crucial, no matter if it’s big or small. Your brain will realize that you are doing something regarding the relocation, so it will automatically manage stress. Try not to worry about all the aspects of the move at once and think about one thing at a time. 

Stay organized

The organization is key to a less stressful move. This applies to all aspects of your move, from labeling boxes and sorting your possessions, to keeping all the documents that you will need in one spot. Make organization a priority and you’ll have much fewer headaches in the process.

A notebook.
The organization is key to a stress-free move.

Hire professionals

We can’t stress this one enough. It is very important to hire professionals whenever you can. When you’re trying to get fit you are working with a pro fitness instructor, so it is only natural to hire professional movers when moving to another country. They will help you with all the heavy lifting, with all the transportation, and they can even do the packing for you. You will have much less work on your hands and much less stress as a result of that. Just be sure to hire a reputable moving company and you’ll be good to go.

Physical activity helps with stress

Anyone who has gone through moving abroad will tell you that the best way to cope with the stress of international relocation is physical activity. Try to find a reputable personal trainer before you even get to your new country. For instance, Dubai Personal Trainers are the best in their region. Try to find equivalent in wherever place you’re moving to. A personal trainer will help you to relieve stress while working out. It is a win-win situation. You’ll get in shape and feel better in every way.

People training.
Physical activity can be very helpful in eliminating stress.

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. An extra set of hands can make your life easier in many ways, and can even lead you to a stress-free move. From doing less work, to simply having someone around to help you get your mind off of things that are bothering you. If you can, plan ahead and ask for help in advance. The person that you asked can then plan and be with you at that time. Always be sure to show gratitude for any help you receive and return the favor if you can.

Get some sleep

It is easy to forget to sleep when you have a lot to do. Be sure not to do this. The less rest you get, the more likely you are to be overcome by stress. Sleep is very important and you should make it a priority during a move. Get a full night rest every time you can. Moving can very quickly drain you both mentally and physically. One of the best ways to cope with the stress of international relocation is to get enough sleep.

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