A big change is coming your way. You are going to move. Moving comes with new opportunities, places, people, and stress. In ancient history, our ancestors moved a lot. And not because they had a new job, or they were getting married, or they bought a new house. They moved because they had to survive. They needed resources - food, shelter, warmth.

Surely, that's a lot more stressful compared to our situations today.

Yet, moving stress is very real and is experienced by almost everyone going into the process of moving. In fact, moving is more stressful than divorce, death and bankruptcy, according to this Daily Mailarticle.

Whether it's fear of the unknown or your concern about losing old friends, moving blues will definitely get you.

Here are five ways to de-stress your move and make it a more positive and rewarding experience.

1. Plan ahead

Time can be your biggest enemy when you're planning to move.

To ensure that you're not going to rush packing, carefully assess if you have lots of time left before the moving day. Plan how you are going to spend the remaining days in your old home.

Set your priorities straight and schedule things you have to do. Aside from taking care of documents, breaking the news to friends, neighbors and family, you also have to pack and get your new home ready. Save money and time efficiently by taking time to plan.

2. Throw/Donate/Sell possessions you don't need

As much as you'd like, you can't really bring everything in your old home. Old but usable stuff can be sold or given away. For example, that old leather couch can look great in your aunt's house. That perfect set of china will certainly earn you a good sum of money if you sell it on Ebay.

Minimizing your inventory can help reduce the cost of moving. Most movers charge for special items like fragile music instruments, bulky home appliance and old furniture; give them a new home if you can.

3. Clean before you pack

Save time and reduce stress by cleaning. Studies have found that clutter affects our ability to focus - inevitably increasing our stress levels during times of pressure.

So before you go into the gritty business of packing, make sure you have done all the cleaning.

You wouldn't want to pack a dirty rug. Make sure to finish all your laundries, and not just your clothes but all the home essentials you want to bring like the carpet, curtains and pillows. This will make them fresh and clean, so you will not spend your first week at your new place doing the washing.

4. Ask for help

There are things you just can't do by yourself.

So don't hesitate to ask for your friend's help. You'd be surprised just how willing they are to lend you a hand. You can ask their help in packing, cleaning and selling your items. This can also be a good time to relive memories so you have fun while doing the work.

Don't be afraid to reach out and de-stress with your close friends. If they aren't available, you can always hire moving companies to handle your move. Most moving companiescan provide additional services like packing and unpacking, so you can relocate in a more organized way.

5. Keep friends close, and true friends closer

Not saying a proper goodbye can affect good relationships.

Neighbors, coworkers, and relatives you might miss during your move should be noticed prior to moving. They need to be informed about your move (unless you are planning to keep it secret). You can host a dinner party, a barbecue or a simple get together for you, your kids and your spouse's valuable connections.

The post 5 essential tips for your family’s first move appeared first on FamilyToday.

Family members who engage in active hobbies get a boost of physical activity essential for one's heart, muscles and overall health. Aside from positive effects on the body, exercise is a good way to improve your kids' and your cognitive skills; and a recent study has linked exercise to improved thinking and memory skills. So it's no wonder family members who spend more time together outside have better relationships.

Convinced and ready to do an active family hobby? Try one from the list below.

1. Biking

Have you seen someone frowning while riding a bicycle? No. That's because cycling makes people happy. This worthwhile activity is a great mood-booster and stress-reducer. Cycling is also a great way to burn calories, reduce traffic and pollution and save money from the ever-increasing price of gasoline. So, next Sunday, instead of your usual movie binge watching, rent a few bikes from your local bike shop and take your family out on a fun bike ride!

2. Swimming

Getting your family to play in water is a fun and healthy kind of exercise. It doesn't matter where you swim-the community pool or an outdoor hot spring. Remember that swimming is an essential survival skill you need to teach your kids while they are still young. Not sure where to look? Try this site that helps you find swimming pools in your area.

3. Camping

Camping is a fun activity to try with your family. You can roast marshmallows, tell campfire stories and teach kids survival skills while enjoying the great forests. Also, spending time in nature has known positive effects on one's brain. Fresh air is also great for the lungs and has wonderful effects on one's immune system. People who are cooped up in their own homes develop lower immunity than those who are often exposed to nature or those living close to farms and woods.

4. Gardening

Kids love the dirt. They love playing in mud puddles, watching seeds grow and watering plants. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, a fun way to teach your children the importance of taking good care of plants is through gardening. Watching a baby seed grow to an adult plant is one of the most magical things on earth.

5. Bowling

Bowling is fun, competitive and a great exercise for your arm and leg muscles. It also improves posture and helps tone and strengthen muscles. What more can you ask for in a family activity! Bowling can even help you burn the fat you gained last holiday season. Kids easily learn it, and you often meet fun people in the bowling alley.

Like any other kind of hobby, physical activities are best enjoyed with the family and strengthen family bonds. Strong family bonds help raise happy and healthy children who will be more likely to become successful in their lives.

The post 5 active hobbies your family MUST do appeared first on FamilyToday.