Moving is an exhausting process. Every single step requires a hefty dose of energy, from packing at your old place to unpacking at your new one and everything in between. Meanwhile, your normal routines are still going on in the background, with work and other responsibilities demanding the same amount of your attention and your time that they always do. For most of us, it’s hard enough to find enough energy during a normal day, let alone finding enough energy during a move.
There’s an extra layer to digging up energy during a move, too, and that’s that you can’t just run on auto-pilot. You need plenty of mental energy, in addition to physical energy, to get everything done, and there’s no phoning it in if you want to do it efficiently and do it right. So how do you get past the inevitable hurdle of too much to do and not enough time to do it? Here are nine ways to boost your energy during a move and keep going (even when the going gets tough).
Sometimes moving in a hurry is inevitable, but usually we do have some control over how much time we give ourselves to accomplish all of the many tasks required to pack up and go. In general, moving is almost always going to take more time than you think it’s going to. Yes, even if you swear you don’t own that much stuff and even if you’re not doing it entirely on your own. Surprises are part and parcel of moving, as are roadblocks, distractions, and tasks that you totally forgot about but need to get done now.
There’s really no reason to scramble to get everything done if you have the option to do it differently. Resist the urge to procrastinate in the time leading up to moving day (there will be more than enough time for procrastination when it comes to getting settled in your new home), and start early. The less you have to run around getting everything done, the less energy you’ll need.
Sleep is one of the first necessities that tends to get pushed aside during a move. And it makes sense, since, again, your normal life goes on whether you’re in the middle of packing up every single thing that you own or not. Sometimes, the only time you really have to devote to moving tasks is after work and into the night. But that doesn’t mean that you should be pulling all-nighters.
Realistically, you’re going to have to sacrifice a little bit on sleep during your move—there are only so many hours in the day, after all. Regardless, sleep needs to stay a priority. It’s better to go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up super early than to work until you crash and end up getting only an hour or two of shut eye. Getting sleep is a necessary part of keeping up energy during a move, and just as important as packing tape and a moving truck when it comes to successfully completing the job.
Remember: being in bed and getting quality sleep are not the same thing. Making sleep a priority means you’ll have to skip any late-night scrolling on your phone, as the light of your screen is proven to make you more sleepy during the day. You’ll be able to get back to Candy Crush and perusing Instagram under the covers after your move is over.
Boosting energy is an active process—it’s not going to just happen on its own. And one of the most active steps you can take to increase your energy during a time when you really need it is so minimize stress by practicing self care.
Stress and fatigue are closely linked—and so are stress and moving. Getting proper sleep will help keep your stress levels down, but it’s a good idea to implement some extra TLC in other areas as well. Diffuse some stress-relieving essential oils into the air while you pack (lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang are all great for this), use a face mask while you wrap up your dishes, or fit in 10 or 15 minutes of gentle stretching when you start to panic about getting everything done. Whatever makes you feel good is what you should be trying to do more of.
Eating well during a move is much easier said than done. You’re not going to be making any home cooked meals when your pots and pans are in boxes, nor are you going to have much time for anything that isn’t fast and convenient. But go-to moving foods like pizza, drive-thru orders, and Chinese take-out will all give you an immediate energy surge followed by a crash, which is not helpful when you have a ton of to dos to take care of.
The key to good nutrition during a move is finding a balance between food that is fast and food that is good for you. You don’t need to go on a diet by any means, but intersperse those pizza slices with sliced carrots and apples, or pick up a meal from a salad spot instead of a burger one. While you’re at it, drink lots of water, which will combat the exhausting effects of dehydration.
Drinking makes you drowsy. A couple beers or a glass of wine while you’re packing isn’t the end of the world, but it will almost certainly take away some of that much-needed energy. Do yourself a favor and save any drinking for the end of the evening when you’ve wrapped up your moving tasks for the day, or for celebrating when you get into your new home (which is itself a great excuse for a glass or two of champagne).
Anything that promises you a rapid boost of energy is going to come with a rapid come down as well. Too much caffeine, whether it’s consumed from energy drinks and shots or from coffee and caffeinated tea, leads to a lot of things that aren’t very helpful when you’re moving: jitters, racing thoughts, and a steep and inevitable energy crash.
Boosting energy during a move isn’t like boosting energy to go out at night or to get through the last hour or two of a drive. It’s a long process, and it requires sustained—and sustainable—energy to accomplish. If you do need a quick pick-me-up, grab some chocolate, almonds, or oatmeal instead, all of which naturally increase your energy levels.
One of the very best things that you can do to keep up energy during a move is to listen to music that makes you want to dance, or upbeat music that you can sing along to. In addition to keeping you alert, some good background music will give your mind something else to focus on besides just the slogging tasks at hand. It’s an excellent time to pop in that old mixtape from high school you just found while you were clearing out your closet or to finally listen to that new Ariana Grande album you’ve been meaning to check out. The choice of music is all yours, but aim for something that exudes energy itself (you probably want to save Sufjan Stevens for later on).
Even when you’ve got a lot on your plate it is okay—even necessary—to take breaks. It’s all too easy to get burned out on packing and organizing, so disturb the monotony by putting down that roll of packing paper and turning your focus to something else. Just keep in mind that this should be an active break—just sitting down and staring at your phone, while relaxing in the moment, is going to be hard to come back from.
Look for activities that provide you with respite while also increasing your energy levels, such as walking your dog or taking a shower. If you do just need to sit down for a minute, keep it short—no more than five or ten minutes.
You may be tempted to dim the lights when it’s gotten late and you’re still hard at work, but that’s going to have you dreaming about bed pretty quickly. If you need to stay up and get things done, keep the lights on full blast in whatever room you’re working in. This will trick your brain into having a little bit more energy, as opposed to luring it into sleep mode.
And of course, if you’re feeling so tired that you just can’t get anything done: rest! Take a 20 minute nap, or, if it’s time, go to bed and start tackling that to do list again in the morning. As much as you can boost energy during a move, you can’t completely eliminate your need for sleep (much as you might want to). Take care of yourself and get the rest you need—everything will get done eventually.
Did you know that moving house is widely considered a very stressful experience?
Seriously stressful. Recent research found that 61% of us rate moving house as the most stressful event in our lives, ranking it as more stressful than getting a divorce.
So, yeah, it’s not as simple as shifting a few boxes.
Naturally, I do not currently own a house (because house prices are out of control and we’re all screwed. THANKS, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS), so instead I’ve been renting for the last few years.
Last weekend I moved into my partner’s place, and, knowing packing up all my stuff and moving had the potential to be stress-filled, I took steps to make the move as easy as humanly possible.
Some steps I took definitely worked. There were others I wish I had taken. I shall now impart them on to you, because when you struggle with mental illness it’s incredibly important to avoid excess stress. The last thing you need when you’re working on feeling better is a relapse mid-move that leaves you sobbing surrounded by broken mugs in boxes.
1. Start the move before moving day
This doesn’t mean actually packing up your stuff and removing it from your current living space, but don’t try to do absolutely everything in the space of a weekend.
Make some time in the lead up to moving day to do what you can.
Organise your clothes, bedding, and books into stuff you want to take to your new place, stuff you want to give to charity, and stuff that you’ll need in your new place, but not in the short term (meaning this can go in storage space). This is handy as it’ll give you a real understanding of how many things you actually have (it’s always more than you thought), and allow you to donate anything you don’t want to bother with on moving day.
You can sort out other admin beforehand, too, to make yourself feel a bit more in control. Sort out your internet provider so you know you’ll have internet the minute you move in, scope out the nearest shops to grab food, and sign up to a new GP.
Anything you can do a few weeks before the move won’t just make the actual moving process easier, it’ll also help to make you feel like you’ve got things under control.
2. Book time off work
I didn’t do this, and I regret it.
You can move all your stuff from one place to another in the space of a weekend, but you’ll feel rushed, run down, and your arms will ache from lifting boxes. The lack of downtime will mean you won’t have a proper weekend and you’ll go straight back to the rush of work without having any time to settle in.
Book at least a day off. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to move, even if it’s just a ‘getting used to things’ day.
This’ll prevent you from feeling panicked about there not being enough time to sort things out and make sure you actually get to relax a little before you charge straight into life in your new place.
3. Pack your medication in an easily accessible place
You won’t be fully set up and organised within a few hours, and having to rummage around endless bags and boxes trying to find a pack of Fluoxetine you need to take before bed is no fun – trust me.
I ended up skipping multiple days of medication because it wasn’t where I expected it to be. Learn from my mistakes and have one clearly marked bag or box packed with everything you’ll need for the next three days – underwear, toiletries, and medication. That’ll give you a window to get sorted out while still looking after yourself.
4. Have some home comforts to hand
Once you’ve done your ‘daily essentials’ bag or box, do a comforting one – a bag or box filled with things that’ll make you feel at home even when the majority of your stuff is piled up in the kitchen.
For me that’s a cosy blanket, my favourite cushions, a mug, and some green tea. For you it’s probably something different. Don’t worry if it feels silly – anything that makes you feel comforted is crucial right now.
5. Ask for help
I know, I know, you’re a strong, independent grownup and you can do this all by yourself. That’s true. You can. But it’ll be an absolute nightmare.
No one will be shocked that you need some assistance moving house. Everyone knows it’s difficult and time-consuming.
So don’t feel bad about asking for help, whether that’s lugging over boxes or offering up their car so you don’t have to trek across London on three different Tube lines.
6. Budget for some silly expenses
Moving house can be stressful for many reasons, chief among them money. You’ve got to think about deposits and new rent and furniture and all kinds of other deeply frustrating expenses, and when you’re thinking about that, any frivolous spending can send you into a full on panic spiral.
But here’s the thing: You will spend some money on stuff you don’t technically need when you’re moving house, but will make things a lot easier.
You’ll pay for an Uber so you don’t have to journey on the bus. You’ll order takeout because you’re too tired from carting around suitcases to go to the supermarket. You’ll buy a load of new socks because you can’t find a single matching pair.
If you’re unprepared for that you’re going to worry about it and feel really guilty for spending cash. So instead, set aside some silly money and accept that it’ll go on something that isn’t the smartest, best use of money. It’s okay.
7. Remember: taking a break and taking a little longer is better than trying to do everything at high speed
It’s okay if you’re not completely moved in and organised by Sunday evening. Do not power through because you feel like it has to be done right away – it really doesn’t.
Treat moving house as you would a working day. It shouldn’t be non-stop work, you should be taking breaks, and once you’re off the clock you should be doing things you enjoy.
It’s perfectly okay to watch old episodes of Kitchen Nightmares USA (I find the predictable structure very soothing) even when you’re not entirely sure where your underwear is. It’s essential to still get enough sleep rather than staying up late to try to get everything done.
You haven’t failed if the move takes a little longer than expected. Your mental health is still priority number one. Take care of yourself before you worry about where your saucepans need to go.
This article is part of Getting Better, a weekly series about my journey through getting help with my mental health. You can read all previous Getting Better posts here, and check back next Monday for an update on how everything’s going.
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