How to ease the stress of relocating to a new area.

Everyone knows that moving is one of the most stressful life events you can experience. Combine it with moving to a completely new area and it can be quite a challenge. Here are a few ways you can ease the stress as you plan to relocate to your new home.

1. Have a Positive Attitude: Look at your move as a new adventure! Just think of all the good things that can happen. You are going to meet new people, have new experiences, and hopefully create a life that’s even better than the one you’re leaving behind. As Dr. Seuss would say “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” Think about this as a new beginning.

2. Ask friends and family for help: Packing and unpacking can be a daunting task. Having a friend or family member around to help you organize or even just label boxes can ease the stress of packing up years of memories. They can also help ease your transition into your new residence by helping you unpack or even help you transport a vehicle to your new home.

3. Make plans with your old friends to see them in the future: No one likes to say goodbye. When we move, we usually have very good intentions of staying in touch and visiting. But let’s be honest- sometimes we get busy and don’t get around to making those plans. So it never hurts to plan ahead. Pencil in those get-togethers on your calendar before you leave. That way, you’re more likely to follow through and yu have something to look forward to once you get to your new place.

4. Make new friends: Take a class in your community. Join a church. Volunteer at a local charity or simply introduce yourself to the neighbors. You can also see if they have a local chapter of a club or group you belonged to in your former town. There are even apps like NextDoor that will help you find activities that are going on in your new neighborhood. By becoming a "doer" you will get to meet people who share similar interests as you and get you started on yur new adventure.

5. Go out and explore: Take advantage of all the new places and activities you have available to you. It is almost like being on a vacation. Try out the Jazz club down the street. Buy tickets to the local theatre company. Check out a new restaurant. Make yourself familiar with your new town so it feels more like "home".

I hope these 5 tips will help you feel less stressed about being in a new place and more excited about beginning a new chapter of your life. As always, I am here to help you navigate your journey, so just reach out if I can be of assistance.