The American population is a mobile one. These days it can be surprising to meet a native who has lived in one area his or her whole life! Relocations are common and even expected in many professional fields. Of course, Americans aren't alone - this trend is increasingly seen on the international level. Around the world, businesses are striving to become globalized. As a result, there is a lot of city- and country- swapping, and the bulk of the responsibilities of moving falls on the family.

From taking care of the move itself to settling in to a new place, how can you keep it together?

Dealing with the logistics of moving your possessions - and your loved ones - is mentally and physically stressful. Moving requires a lot of hard work: getting a schedule set, getting organized, packing, cleaning, lifting boxes and furniture... the list goes on. Here are some ideas for keeping your blood pressure normal during the move.

• Start early! Pack a little every day for a few weeks before the big day. Leaving everything to the last minute is a guaranteed blood boiling, hair-pulling, murderous experience. Trust me on this one.
• Put a checklist together so that you don't forget any steps along the way.
• An inventory list is a must-have for those moving a lot of possessions, especially if moving overseas. Very often shipments will show up with items damaged or missing. You want to be prepared to reduce the chance of nasty surprises! Don't forget to take valuables with you instead of sending them with the movers.
• Get rid of the junk you don't need. Really now, when was the last time you listened to those dusty Bruce Springsteen cassettes? And why do you still own them, anyway?
• Stay organized. It may seem tedious now, but packing those boxes in a carefully planned, logical order will pay off once you get to your new home. Pack the things you will need immediately upon arrival together in boxes labeled "Open First."
• Puh-lease be careful doing the heavy lifting! Borrow a dolly or cart to push the boxes, instead of causing yourself to develop a major hernia by huffing and puffing across the room.
• Make sure you get as much sleep as possible. It can be tough to shut off your mind with so much going on, but try to relax and let your body heal.

Most important of all, take care of yourself throughout the move. Don't overdo it! You'll need your energy (and back muscles) for the flip side.

Once you've packed the truck and locked up the old house, you've got a little time to clear your mind. If you've hired movers to ship your items for you, you can just sit back and wait for the madness of unpacking to begin. And when it does...

• Make sure the new house is as clean as possible before you start bringing in the new boxes. Who knows what germies the last residents left behind!
• Before you get busy with the boxes and furniture, get the utilities up and running and the house prepped - change the locks, smoke detector batteries and toilet seats (see previous comment about "germies").
• Take your time unpacking. If you were organized before you left, you should already know how to pace the opening of boxes.
• If you have children, try and make the new home as normal as possible for them. The sooner they get back on a familiar routine, the sooner they will feel at home.
• Acknowledge that this is a transition period and don't work yourself too hard. Give cooking a rest for a while and treat yourself to a few meals out.
• Spend some time getting to know your new neighbors and neighborhood. It won't take long to get to know your environment. Soon you'll be right at home!

Though moving is an exhausting process, approaching it with a positive attitude will make all the difference. Remember that it will all get done; just choose to do it calmly and methodically instead of giving everyone a few extra gray hairs. When things get tough, focus on the life ahead of you and the adventures that await in your new home!