Even if you are moving overseas for your dream job or to be with the love of your life, moving house is stressful. Experts rank it as one of the most stressful life events, right up there with divorce and bereavement. You can make your overseas move easier by acknowledging that and taking some specific steps to reduce your stress about moving house and starting life in a new country.
- Get to know your new home before you arrive. Even if your work or study there will be in English, taking a class in the local language is good preparation. You can research the climate and study maps of the town online, but the culture is going to be the big thing. You can join Facebook groups related to your future home and follow local organizations and businesses on social media. Read up on the culture. Through the internet, you can find blogs and travel writings from others who have spent time there and see what they found difficult or didn’t expect.
- Prepare early. Don’t leave anything until the last minute. Start packing things you will bring but don’t absolutely need before you move. Make lists. Contact Spratt Personal Shipping to learn about your options for moving your belongings. We can also provide you with shipping boxes, bubble wrap and packing tape. Make sure you have your visa and any travel documents ready well in advance. Another thing you don’t want to leave to the last minute is going away parties! Give yourself time to recover from the festivities before you head out. Jet lag is bad enough with being tired or hung over on top of it!
- Take very good care of yourself. You’ll have a lot to do to prepare for moving overseas, so you need to be at your best. Get plenty of sleep. Stick to a healthy diet. Try to keep up with your regular exercise routine. This tip applies after your overseas move as well. Settling into a new place is stressful. No matter how much you love it, it is hard work to learn your way around a new town and learn the unspoken cultural rules. Many people find they need to sleep more when they first arrive in a new home, even if they don’t face a language barrier. Try to schedule your move so you have some time to settle in before starting work or school.
Moving overseas is a fantastic adventure, but it is not easy. The more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have getting to know your new location. If you go well-prepared and at your best physically and mentally, you’ll feel right at home very soon.
