It’s been ten whole days since we moved from our house to our new apartment.
Tackling boxes. Who will ultimately win??
We’re making progress – we’re down from 175 cartons to about 20. I call that getting closer to finally exhaling.
But I still can’t find my:
- Can Opener
- Favorite Blue Shirt
- Phone Headset
- Garlic Press
All in time, I suppose. Each time I unpack a carton, it’s like a great mystery is unveiled. Yesterday, hubby found the little tin box of ashes from my dearly departed Bichon, Chloe. The house now feels like home.
Moving has been invigorating and exhausting all at once. Although I’m utterly spent at the end of each day – my hands rubbed raw from handling irritating cardboard, packing tape, that annoying “popcorn” that cushions your most fragile items (HATE that stuff) – I’m feeling like moving to a new place is helping me age backwards.
Here’s Why:
1. Moving forces you to use and form new memories.
I’m meeting a lot of new people and learning a lot of new names.
That forces me to exercise my mind so I won’t embarrass myself and forget all the new names of my neighbors. After all, it’s not like meeting someone in passing that you’ll never see again. Chances are great that you’ll run into this person again (and again), and chances are even greater that when you run into them, you’ll be with your spouse and you’ll want to make an introduction. So, I’m putting my best mental prowess to work by trying to repeat the names over and over again after the person has walked away, so I can etch it into my memory. Unfortunately, right now, this comes at the price of forgetting all the other information I need (such as what I need to buy at the grocery store or where I put the list). Note to self: Learn to multitask in the memory department.
Age Advantage: The more you challenge your brain, the more new nerve pathways you form. Experts believe that the more mental reserves you build up, the better you can stave off age-related cognitive decline.
2. Moving forces you to stand and walk around – a lot.
I never sit anymore. Well, I’m sitting now to write this post, but that and maybe sitting on the toilet (okay, get that mental picture out of your head, please) are about the exceptions. There’s always something to be done. Yesterday morning, Alan and I went out to sit on our terrace and sip our morning coffee. I immediately felt guilty when I looked around and saw all the leaves and other debris on the floor that blew off the colorful flowers I had put out just the day before (just in time for the huge rainstorm that followed). So, I jumped up, grabbed a broom, and went at it. “I can talk and sweep at the same time!” I said when he looked at me, annoyed. “One minute we’re relaxing and having a nice conversation, and the next minute you’re running around like a maniac!”
Age Advantage: Sitting is bad for you, plain and simple. According to new and emerging research, the longer people spend sitting the more likely they are to die prematurely. Experts say sitting interferes with the way your body metabolizes certain fuels (like glucose and lipids)…and this is regardless of fitness levels. So even if you work out in the morning, but sit during the day, all your hard work is erased, in a way.
3. Moving forces you to sleep more deeply.
There’s nothing like a day spent forming new memories, meeting new people, running around, organizing, making endless lists, getting used to new roads and shortcuts… to tire you beyond simple exhaustion. When my head touches my pillow I’m already asleep. With the exception of those occasional (probably age-related) restless nights, my sleep has been deep and uninterrupted.
Age Advantage: Sleeping – and sleeping well – goes a long way. People who sleep less than six hours a night have a bigger chance of suffering from declining cognitive abilities and reaction times, according to one study. Your weight, too, is affected by too little sleep – the hormones that promote appetite and reduce sensations of fullness after a meal go haywire when there’s a sleep deficit. And your risk of developing certain conditions, like diabetes, can also be affected by too little sleep.
Sleeping also boosts your “youth hormone” HGH, known as human growth hormone, which is at its highest production during slow-wave sleep. Its level drops off as you age. Deficiencies can lead to reduced muscle mass, slowed metabolism, increased belly fat and saggy skin.
Maybe you’re not ready to move. Yet. But if you’re with me in this so-called midlife, chances are that the day will come when you look around and think that it might be in your near future. And who knows? All that hard work might pay off and save you a few dollars in the anti-aging department.
You might also want to read about other things – minus moving – that can be good for your health. Click here.
Wonderful, Sheryl. Congratulations on finally moving, unpacking (mostly) and reversing the aging process all at once. Fabulous.
I love how you broke this down into categories. Made for easy-to-read and useful information.
About the sitting, perhaps they’ll invent a laptop you can use while standing! Then I won’t feel so guilty writing all day…
Thanks, Cathy. I think when I get to the last carton, I will celebrate with a glass of champagne (by then, I’ll have found my champagne glasses!)
They do make treadmill desks…I’d love to get one. It’s basically a treadmill without arms, fitted with a desk that you can comfortably lean your computer on. You walk about 1.5 mph – and it all adds up!
I’m going to be watching your progress as I contemplate downsizing–maybe in a year or two?
Okay, Walker, I’ll try to be a good role model for you!
We move quite often as a military family so I completely understand ALL you have written about. I can never sit still until all is unpacked and settled. As for remembering names, well we have a system for that. If I a speaking to someone and I don’t introduce my husband he will interject and introduce himself. The other person will, of course, say his name and I don’t have to be embarrassed because my brain is a sieve. Then I apologize for my rudeness and no one is the wiser lol
Jennifer, I guess being a military family really helps you gain experience in the moving department. You must have it down pat.
And…I love your system regarding remembering/not remembering names – thanks for sharing. Excellent idea. What a team you and your husband make. Can’t wait to try this out (hope I don’t have to employ it too much 🙂
Sheryl,
Congrats on your move. I remember mine almost four years ago. We were surrounded by boxes for months and I was adjusting to being a new mom. I like the points you make related to aging advantages. Very cool.
Estelle
Thanks, Estelle! Have to find some humor and practicality in it all, right?
Great post. We’re one of those couples that moves a lit for my husbands job…this pat move (in February) was our 9th in 15 years. We live life much simpler today, have been through the heartbreak of “downsizing” and now material goods are just that…just material goods we no longer get attached to. We’re much lie a M.A.S.H unit.
Our dog is also very well behaved because we have to go on walks (in lieu) of a backyard and dog parks to play with others.
We’ve made friends all over the country.
That first move out of the house we built was SOOOO hard. If I only knew then what I know now.
Barbara, I agree that downsizing can be heartbreaking. But once we began to get more settled, that heartbreak eased a LOT.
Experience is hard-won, isn’t it? It would be so nice if we could have it before we go through a tough situation, not after.
Sheryl, moving is extremely stressful and it’s great that you’re looking at the positive side of it. I hope you find your missing things!
Happy to report I’ve located a few of my missing things…but so far, no blouse. Where, or where, could it be??
I love that you have put a positive spin on this for your health!
The older I get, the more I look for the positive. I think if you try hard enough you can find it in many situations you never expected to find it in before.
Just reading about moving has me exhausted. I don’t think I could do it and admire your attitude.
It IS exhausting! I am going to think twice before I decide to move again. But now that I’ve purged a lot of stuff, the next move will (hopefully) be easier.
Moving doesn’t appeal to me. I’ll find other ways to be active.
Well, I don’t see it as my choice of activities to be active…but I have found that it does force you to move around a LOT!
I’ve only moved a few times in my life, but what I love about it is that it forces me to edit my stuff. Otherwise, things just clutter and grow in the basement! And it’s pretty scary down there right now.
I suppose one day you’ll have to face that scary basement, huh?
So interesting! I can see how this can be. I both dread and love moving.
Yes, two perfect words for it, Christine.
So glad you have most of this behind you, Sheryl. And yeah, it’s a good thing to be shaken up just a little bit.
Thank you Ruth. You’re not the only one happy to have most of it behind me!
what a fine way to put a creative spin on moving, Sheryl. I did not know that about the hazards of sitting, either.
a move may indeed be coming up for me — all the best as you continue unpacking from yours —
Well, Kerry, I hope your impending move is an easy and quick one, unlike mine…
Talk about lightening your load – no wonder you feel younger! What a huge deal to plow through so many cartons. My goodness. It must feel great. We just moved a couple months ago, and I know that feeling. I donated or gifted or tossed so much before our move, but once in the new place the process began again. Is this your final destination for now, or a transitional move?
It does feel great, as you well know, Merr. And, yes, we did the same; once in the new place the donations and gifting continued. But I’m happy knowing someone else can use my cast-offs. For now, we’re staying put. Definitely not our final destination, though.
Never thought about the upside of moving, only the extremely painful parts. thanks for the glass half full post, Sheryl.
Happy to be of service, G&F!