Moving can be frustrating and extremely stressful. Whether you are moving locally or across the country, it is a hassle. Although moving can be exhausting, there are actually many mental health benefits that are derived once you get settled into your new space. Here are five ways that moving can boost your mental health.
1) You Get A Fresh Start
While a fresh start can seem scary, you should fully embrace the opportunity to meet new people, start a new job, or explore a new area! When you live in the same place, there is the tendency to get stuck in a rut. Boredom can have a negative impact on your mental health, so changing your environment is a good way to keep things exciting.
2) You Can Experience Life Differently
Where you live plays a major role in how you see yourself. Moving to a radically different place (from the city to a rural area or vice versa), can create a dramatic effect and give you the opportunity to experience new things. Enjoying a new environment after a stressful move can have great benefits on your mental state.
3) New Friends With New Perspectives
Meeting new people and befriending strangers leads to a multitude of mental health benefits, such as increased cognitive capability and enhanced mood. Forcing yourself to meet new people and get outside of your comfort zone can be tough, but well worth it. Every person is different, with a unique perspective on life that can stimulate your mind as you get to know them.
4) Moving To A Nicer Place Can Improve Your Mental State
It has been shown that living in an unsatisfactory place can negatively influence your mental state. If you are not comfortable where you live, you may dread coming home to it. Moving to a clean, modern home that fits your needs perfectly can make you much more satisfied with your position in life. With a new home, you can decide what vibe you want to create and start from scratch.
5) You Can De-Clutter Your Life
When we are comfortable in our home, we tend to collect things. Moving forces you to go through everything you have to decide if these things are important to you. If you have not needed an item in the last year, it is safe to say you won't want to go through the hassle of packing it and bringing it with you. When you pick up an item, ask yourself, 'Does this positively impact my life?' If the answer is "no", you can sell it, donate it, or throw it out.
It can often be hard to take time for yourself to reflect on where you are in life. When you move, your entire routine is disrupted. Moving gives us a sort of psychological breakpoint that makes it easier to do some deep self-reflection. While deep self-reflection may be scary, it is necessary and has many benefits. You can step back from your day-to-day life and begin to understand more about yourself – positive or negative habits, toxic relationships, fears, desires, and more. Simply taking the time to understand more about yourself can be extremely valuable, and help you build a happier life and a healthier mental state.
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