Moving is always a challenge. Even positive change challenges our mental health. Here are a few things I have learned in the last couple of months.

• You better be in shape, because moving taxes every muscle in your body.
• You need to expect the move to come suddenly. Whether a house sells in a month or a year, it always happens suddenly.
• You need a flexible plan. Be prepared for the unexpected. And everything seems to take at least 5 times longer than you think it should, including disconnecting services.
• Include the children, according to their ages. If nothing else, they can choose one or two small toys for travel time.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Having good friends makes moving a LOT easier. Good friends run to the store when you run out of essentials and take over when you reach your exhaustion limit.
• Eat healthy meals on a regular schedule. Your body needs good nutrition to handle added stress and activity. Fresh fruit and vegetables also help hydrate the body.
• Do your best to follow your normal sleep schedule. You can live longer without water than you can without sleep.
• Drinking plenty of water helps they body function better.
• A yard sale may be necessary. It claims many more hours than you can imagine.
• Movers are never on time, be they professionals or friends.
• Follow my aunt's advice: "Be brutal. If you have not used it in 1 or 2 years, get rid of it."
• Do your best to budget extra for unexpected expenses and for "mental health" treats.