5 tips for looking after your mental health during a house move.

Moving house can be stressful, and it is vital to look after your mental health and well-being during this time. Read this article for guidance on keeping calm during your move.

It's no secret that moving house can be a very stressful process. Whichever way you look at it, packing up everything you own and moving your entire life to a new house will take its toll. It is a big deal, and yes, it needs to be the right timing for you and your family, but the potential stress that you think you may have to deal with during the sale process should not put you off moving house.

But, if you are feeling overwhelmed or worried about your move, follow these tips to take care of yourself and your family during this process.

Be kind to yourself: Selling your home and moving to somewhere new involves a lot of upheaval, and change can sometimes be challenging to manage and process. Be kind to yourself and take your time.

Take time out: If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that taking a day or an evening 'off' can do wonders. Give your family a break and have a wholesome day in the countryside or a fun trip to the beach. This can help you all to switch off and reset, and it doesn't have to be expensive. A walk in nature is free of charge and can provide a much-needed break from the stress of moving.

Planning: Many elements of a house move are out of your control, but planning can often make us feel prepared. There may be things you can't change, but making a plan for how you will deal with those things can help handle overwhelm. It could help to have a plan B, or even a plan C, too, for every eventuality.

Organisation: Try to be as organised as possible. This will mean that you are ready for the things you can control and will have the brain space to be flexible and cope with the things that come as a surprise.

Don't set dates too soon: One of the key sources of frustration during a property sale comes from the date you intend to move. Often, people will plan a date for the move to take place because it's human nature to want to plan, organise and take control of this huge move that you will be making. However, the issues and most of the stresses come when you set a date without everything being in place and are ready to set that date. Then, when it takes longer to arrange, and you miss those arbitrary dates you set for yourself, you will feel as if it has all gone wrong. Alternatively, you and your buyers, and anyone else in the chain, can have an idea of the time that you intend to move, as in this month or that one, but don't fix any dates until your solicitors have everything in place and your finances and mortgages are in order. This may be excruciating, and you will no doubt want to make arrangements because the move will be such an undertaking, but resisting the urge and waiting until everything is actually ready to set the date will remove the disappointment and frustration that comes from missing a deadline that you set.

By following these tips, your house sale will be smooth sailing, and you will save your sanity. If you have any questions about moving home or are ready to arrange a valuation of your property, get in touch with our team of property experts today.