The psychology of moving is well documented. Moving is considered one of the most stressful life events by researchers. Even cats and dogs experience moving stress, but unlike humans, we can’t explain to them why it’s happening. No matter how much you love your new home, you might still experience moving anxiety and relocation depression. It is important to practice self-care throughout this transition, so you can stress less and look good during your move.

Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate, glamorous, or expensive – sometimes it simply means brushing your teeth, eating nutritious food, calling a friend, or planning in advance, in order to care for your future self. But if you want to make a glamorous transition into your new era, we have some excellent beauty tips too. Whether you’re moving to a new apartment in Houston, a rental home in Dallas, or buying a house in San Antonio, don’t let your self-care routine fall by the wayside. Let our Redfin guide with expert advice pave the way to a less stressful move.

Self-care tips to reduce moving stress and anxiety

Try these self-care tactics before, during, and after a move:

Start packing early: Schedule more time to pack than you think you need. Most people underestimate the number of items they have and how long it takes to pack them. You will appreciate having too much time rather than not enough. –Michelle Mathena, President of Under One Roof, Inc..

Exercise: When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins that act as a natural mood booster. Exercise can also help get your mind off an upcoming move. Whether you like to jog, lift weights, or play basketball, exercise warms up your muscles to be ready for the physical activities involved in moving. On the other hand, if you are forcing yourself to work out even when you’re exhausted, you can practice self-care by resting. The most important thing is to find the movement that brings you joy.

Pause and breathe: As you are going through the moving process it is easy to get caught up in the to do list that seems endless. Instead of rushing from task to task and feeling continuously frenzied, stop, take 3 full breaths, and congratulate yourself on a job well done as you complete each task on your checklist. You will find that with these mini breathing breaks you will feel less frenzied and overwhelmed, and calmer, more focused, and actually enjoy the process. –Katey Hawes, Posabilities4u.com

Don’t forget to eat: You have to eat! Think about the resources you have at that moment. Do you have more time, energy, or access to finances? If you have the time, cooking a meal could be self-care. If you are low on energy, grabbing takeout from your favorite local restaurant might be your best bet. When thinking about food and nutrition, what’s most important is eating consistently and eating a variety of foods to help with mood regulation, decreased anxiety, and stress management. –Hannah Turnbull, NourishED

Ask for help: Moving is usually not a one-person operation. Whether it’s asking a friend to help pack in exchange for pizza, or calling your uncle to borrow his pickup truck, asking for assistance will lighten the load when moving day arrives.

Keep up with your beauty routine

Moving to a new home can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but it doesn’t have to mean neglecting your beauty routine. We’ve consulted with top experts in the beauty industry to bring you the best tips and tricks for maintaining your skincare, haircare, and makeup routines during a move. From packing essentials to simplifying your routine, our experts share their advice on how to keep looking and feeling your best, even amid chaos. Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a haircare aficionado, or a makeup lover, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn how to prioritize your beauty and health during a move so you arrive looking refreshed and radiant.

Take care of your skin

To maintain healthy and radiant skin, especially during physically demanding activities like moving, remember to prioritize your skincare routine. Essentials include a cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, face wipes, and lip balm. Additionally, consider adding concealer, mascara, tinted moisturizer, and other beauty staples to enhance your look.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and stick to a basic skincare regimen, even when exhausted. As Tanika Harper, founder of Harper’s Naturals, advises, taking care of your skin is crucial to feeling and looking your best.

Moving can be exciting but also stressful, so to keep your skin healthy, focus on the basics: a gentle cleanser to clean your skin, a nourishing moisturizer to hydrate, and a protective SPF to shield your skin from the elements. Consider using an oil cleanser to remove dirt and grime that can accumulate during the move. Once you’re settled, take some time to relax and rejuvenate your skin with a soothing and hydrating sheet mask, advises Sarah Kinsler, founder of Kin Aesthetics

Anna from Lifestyle Crossroads  suggests “prioritize a simple and effective beauty routine to help you feel grounded and radiant. Opt for multi-use makeup products and tea tree oil-infused essentials to streamline your regimen.” She also recommends to stay organized with a hanging toiletry bag and separate your products for easy access, and don’t forget to secure liquids, double-cleanse your skin, and prioritize restful sleep to ensure a smooth transition and a glowing complexion in your new space.

Faith Tan, a beauty blogger, recommends using a to maintain your skin health. Prioritize self-care rituals like using face mists for effortless hydration. Simplify your routine with time-saving tricks: apply BB Cushions with SPF and skincare benefits for a multi-tasking boost, and always keep a reliable dry shampoo on hand to refresh your hair in an instant!

When packing for a move, prioritize these key beauty essentials to keep you feeling fresh and presentable. “Focus on simple items like cleansing wipes, such as Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes, for on-the-go touch-ups, ” says Leah Kirpalani, a holistic health coach and founder of Shop Good. A lightweight moisturizer like OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream will keep your skin hydrated all day. Don’t forget a multi-use balm like Monastery’s Universal Balm for long-lasting hydration, dry shampoo like Act and Acre’s mini pump for quick hair refreshers, and sunscreen like Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 for protected and smooth skin. These must-haves will keep you feeling clean, refreshed, and confident during your move! She also recommends not to bring your entire beauty arsenal right away. Stick to essentials to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Shannon from A Little A Drift says “Fill your empty travel containers with your favorite full-size products before packing them – this way, you’ll save money while still using the items you love. Pack essentials like your go-to tinted SPF moisturizer, solid shampoo bar, and versatile lip and cheek tint into a small toiletry bag. Since you already have a compact travel kit designed to prevent spills, use it to keep your must-haves organized and within reach during your busy move.”

Glo Skin Beauty says “As you move, remember to prioritize your beauty routine. Start with a water-resistant mascara to make your eyes look more awake. Apply hand cream at the end of the day to combat dry, flaky skin from handling cardboard boxes. Pull your hair back with a hair tie or clip for a low-maintenance look. Better yet, wear a baseball hat to forget about your hair and protect your face from the sun – it’s a win-win!”

According to Kim Bella at The Solo Esthetician, the most common skincare mistake you can make during a move is neglecting to cleanse your skin at night. After a long day of exposure to dust, dirt, and other environmental stressors, it’s crucial to remove the day’s grime and leftover day cream from your skin. Make sure to prioritize a thorough nighttime cleanse to keep your skin healthy and balanced.

To keep yourself refreshed on the go, try these quick self-care hacks from Feta Travel Diaries that says to “drink plenty of water and use hydrating face masks or Korean sheet masks to stay hydrated. A quick facial massage with a jade roller can also help reduce puffiness and keep your skin looking fresh. When it comes to your hair, opt for easy styles like a sleek ponytail or braids to save time and effort.”

Lastly, according to Dr. Usha Rajagopal, plastic surgeon and medical director of San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, if you’ve had procedures like Botox, microneedling, or lasers, you should include specific post-treatment care products in your routine. Dr. Rajagopal recommends opting for gentle skincare items that will maintain the results of your treatment and enhance your refreshed appearance, such as gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, and moisturizers with SPF. Remember to avoid introducing new products that could irritate your post-treatment skin, and prioritize hydration and adequate sleep to support skin health and maintain the benefits of your aesthetic enhancement.

Find some hero products: These skincare savers swill ease your beauty routine

Don’t let moving stress derail your skincare routine. Take a few minutes daily to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin, and you’ll maintain healthy, glowing skin while reducing stress. Self-care is crucial during chaotic times, and this simple routine can bring calm and centeredness.

To make it easy, consider a space-saving travel set like Asthetik Skincare Travel Set, which includes all your essentials and helps you avoid overpacking. 

Prepare for skincare emergencies that can arise from stress and lack of sleep during your move. Stay prepared with Omnilux Mini LED devices, which you can easily take with you. Take a break from the chaos with a hands-free, 10-minute treatment.

Also, opt for multi-functional products like a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a refreshing face mist that doubles as a setting spray to simplify your skincare routine. 

When packing for a move, “prioritize key skincare essentials to combat stressed and tired skin, like a daily vitamin C serum to strengthen and protect the skin and a nightly peptide serum like the Matrixyl 3000®️ or Matrixyl®️ Synthe’6®️ to restore and renew the skin” says Shelly Leggins, licensed esthetician & head of product education at Timeless Skin Care

It’s also important to prioritize products that maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, like a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum and a nourishing facial oil.  

Eliminate stress along with clutter

For most people, less clutter equals less stress. If you have been in your current home for many years, you probably have lots of extra stuff such as clothes, tupperware, toys, and furniture taking up space and not necessarily “bringing you joy.” There’s no time like the present to embrace your inner Marie Kondo and declutter your closet. If it sounds overwhelming, try setting aside half an hour a day to go through the following item categories:

• Clothes

• Books

• Papers

• Misc. items

• Sentimental

Every piece of extraneous stuff you offload ahead of time will help eliminate moving stress come the relocation day. By approaching organization mindfully, and well in advance, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. As for disregarded items, consider holding a garage sale to make some extra cash, renting a storage unit, or dropping them off at the thrift store for a tax-deductible donation.

Decluttering is a key component of the organization before a move, but it is not the only one. Use a moving checklist to avoid procrastination and plan out an easier move.

Relocation depression: How to mitigate this common moving stress

By now, the stress of moving day is over, and depression might be setting in. Relocation depression is common. You’ve likely got hundreds of items to unpack, miss your friends, and are trying to establish yourself in a new city. It’s important to honor the emotions that come up during this disruptive time. If you’re in a funk after moving, try these self-care tips:

Explore the city. Whether by walk, bike, bus, or car, getting out and exploring is the best way to familiarize yourself with a new place while reducing moving stress. Walk Score has great resources for discovering walkable areas in your neighborhood.

Make new friends: Start by introducing yourself to new neighbors and coworkers, and joining them for social events like happy hours or concerts. Try to approach people with the intention of getting to know them, and ask lots of questions. Dating apps are a great way to meet new people, even if you don’t find a significant other. You may just find a friend!

Call old friends: Don’t forget to stay in touch with old friends. Just because you moved and won’t see them as often, doesn’t mean you can’t keep those friendships alive until you’re reunited. With social media, there’s no excuse to let good friends slip through the cracks.

Create a peaceful space at home. Some people find it comforting to rearrange the furniture in a similar way as before or display beloved objects that bring familiarity into the home. Creating a clutter-free zone can encourage relaxation, too.

Try meditation: Finding calm amongst the storm of moving is as easy as finding your center point of awareness – that calm still place in the middle of the cyclone. Meditation in general could be seen as returning to your true home. The secret is to become aware of awareness. Regardless of the contents of your awareness, your thoughts, and perceptions of people and places, there is always a calm clear awareness that is in the background as an observer of everything. Noticing the observer and its qualities of stillness, calm and spaciousness is the key to feeling at home wherever you are. –Chad Foreman, The Way of Meditation

Do something new. Taking up a new hobby can help bolster your identity and build a sense of community. Try signing up for a dance or yoga class; join a club, gym or adult sports league; enjoy the outdoors through hiking; embrace your nerdy side by participating in a game night, or revisit a hobby you loved as a child.

Of course, all the self-care in the world can’t replace a medical professional or therapist. If you are in crisis, call or text the national crisis hotlines.

Moving is stressful for many reasons, and it’s easy to let self-care fall to the wayside, but this is truly the time you need it most. Be gentle with yourself and stick to your self-care routine, whatever that looks like. Whether you are moving into your first home, embarking on a cross-country move while changing jobs, moving into your dream house, or moving into retirement, a little self-care can go a long way against moving stress, whether that involves maintaining a beauty routine or taking some deep breaths.