Moving disrupts the entire family and normal every day routines. According to Health Status online, moving ranks as one of the top 5 most stressful situations.
As difficult as it may be, it is super important to try to maintain a routine. By keeping or modifying your family’s existing routines, you can avoid unneeded stress through the relocation process. This framework allows you to devote more time to the things that matter. The less decisions that need to be made, the less stressed everyone in the household will be.
When you are unexpectedly torn from your home, or just moving from one place to another; bring back some sense of normal to your day to day with these tips.
Keep your routines.
Continue to eat together. Set a goal to continue your regular family meals. If this isn’t possible, work in an evening snack or quick breakfast in the morning. Appreciate and recognize the quality of this time, be present in that moment. If you have children, they will benefit from as little distractions. Engage & communicate with them, you will all benefit from this time.
Reevaluate your schedule for areas that may need modifications. For instance, if you’ve moved farther from school or work, you may need extra time in the morning to start the day, or start dinner later than before.
Adhere to your workouts and fitness routines. Modify them during the move if you are just too busy. There are many options online for quick workouts.
Keep your social commitments; coffee dates, dinner, happy hours etc.
Moving with children.
Make the moving process as smooth as possible for your children. If age-appropriate, involve them in the packing. Get an overnight bag or tote together with items that are special to your child and make sure to keep it close to them throughout the duration of the move.
They may have plenty of questions, be sure to take them all seriously, even the silly ones! Unpack and organize during the day (while they are in school) or after the kids go to bed.
Moving with your pets.
Keep feeding time and routine walks or bedtimes consistent.
Place beds, food dishes in similar areas in the new or temporary home. This will help to make them feel at home more quickly.
Limit anxiety. Separate them from the chaos of moving and introduce them to the home once you’ve unpacked or secure an area where they can’t get lost and avoid getting hurt during the packing, moving and unpacking processes. Give them extra love!
For more tips, check out; 7 Tips for Moving With Your Pet.
Update your routine.
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” – Albert Einstein
Set new personal or family goals. Fit items into your daily routine to apply and work towards your goals. Get started on this early on after your move and before you realize it, you are on your way to a new comfort zone.
Keeping up on a routine provides structure, build good habits and increases efficiency. Get started now!
Get started:
- Develop a routine spreadsheet
- Document your current routine
- Choose a personal or family goal
- Create a new routine to include your goal
Adhere to your new routine daily.
“The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” – Lee Iacocca
For more tips on moving: A helpful move-in checklist.
