Moving is considered one of the most stressful life events and it’s easy to lose sight of self-care amid all the chaos. You may think to yourself, “Who has time for a bubble bath when there is so much work to be done?” Self-care may seem like the last thing on your mind when you have boxes to pack, but it is crucial in reducing your anxiety and stress levels throughout the moving process. Self-care doesn’t have to mean glamorous trips to the spa and daily massages. It simply means taking care of your body so you can better conquer the challenges of moving. Consider these simple self-care tips for reducing your stress levels and staying healthy during your move.

1. Start Your Day with Exercise

When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins that act as a natural mood booster. Exercise is also a great way to decompress and take your mind off of your move momentarily. In addition to the emotional benefits, exercise will also strengthen your body to help minimize your chances of sustaining injury during the moving process. Start each day with some kind of movement whether it be cardio, yoga, or weight lifting as a means of preparing yourself mentally and physically for the day ahead.

2. Eat a Nutritious Diet

It’s easy to lose track of time and forget to eat when you are busy packing, loading, labeling, and cleaning. In many cases, food may become an afterthought, especially if you don’t have the means to cook. However, you have to remember to fuel your body so skipping meals isn’t good for you. Likewise, you don’t want to get in the habit of eating fast food every day. Each week, take the time to plan out your meals for each day whether it is going out to eat or cooking. You can also save time by prepping your meals ahead of time and putting them in containers so you can easily grab them when you are ready to eat.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

Moving is both mentally and physically exhausting so it’s important to make sure you get plenty of sleep. Sleep helps you recharge, and if you aren’t getting enough sleep it can affect your mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly. When you are exhausted, you are also more likely to get injured. Though it can be tempting to work late into the night or get up super early to start packing, be sure you prioritize your sleep.

4. Set Aside Time for Relaxation

While it can be tempting to remain on the go until everything is done, you can end up burning yourself out and working yourself to exhaustion. This can make you more prone to injury and illness in addition to extreme stress and fatigue. That’s why it is essential that you block out some time each day for relaxing or doing something you enjoy such as reading, going for a walk, watching a movie, or spending time with friends or family. Even though you have a lot on your plate, you should still make some time for yourself. In the end this will make your move more enjoyable and efficient.

5. Take a Bath

Packing and moving can be very taxing on the body so baths are a great way to rest your body and your mind. A warm bath is a great way to decompress after a long day of hard work and it can be an excellent stress reliever. Try adding some Epsom salts to your bath to help relax sore muscles and help them recover from a strenuous day. Light some candles, listen to music and give yourself this time to relax and recharge your mind and body.