Processing
My pre-frontal cortex is moeg! There is no other way of saying it. Tomorrow is d-day for our move. Much excitement and anticipation for this moment. In our early married years we move 8 times in 7 years … must of had little stuff. Now it is a process of note! You would think moving between two houses 1.6km apart from each other would be easy. Do you know how many times we have been up and down!
This Sunday I look forward to putting my feet up and doing nothing! Yip nothing! It’s been 9 weeks of preparation little bit by little bit as we work on the vision for our new home. We are forever grateful to the owners that allowed us early access to the property to start the changes. Not sure I would have coped with that while working and trying to move at the same time.
Do you know that you have a limited capacity of working memory?
The pre-frontal cortex is generally responsible for cognition, including information modulation, attentional focus, decision-making, emotional analysis and response, problem-solving, working memory, and the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Moving house is considered the most stressful thing you can do – topping a poll with 57% of respondents, followed by 32% who chose 'having a child', and 30% who said a divorce or breakup was the most stressful. 'Needing more space' was the most frequently cited reason for moving – 42% of respondents. Source: Legal & General
We didn’t go for the more space option <laughing out loud>. Coming from our Cape Town house to Montagu we have had boxes still packed for 1 year and now the sorting process of what to keep.
Here are some of the key aspects to handling a stressful situation:
Keep moving, it helps with your degree of flexibility and reduces injury risk. If you need to put your exercise plan on hold for 1 week, that is OK.
Manage expectations regarding your availability for work related tasks. Take time off if that is what you need. It is also good to have a balanced approach and not just pack.
Reduce your alcohol intake. Suppressing emotions and having brain fog in these situations are not helpful. There are great non-alcoholic options.
Great friends offer ongoing support. It’s important to acknowledge when you need help. Basics things like ice in this heat, a meal … they all go a long way. Thank You!