It’s no secret that moving can be stressful. Between packing, organizing, and waiting for the day you finally get to leave, it seems like no one ever has time to deal with all of their stress. Instead, you wind up feeling overwhelmed and tight as a wire- which isn’t suitable for anyone. But there are ways to reduce the stress of moving. Below are tips that will help reduce the stress associated with moving, which will help make your relocation more manageable and more successful! We hope we can make your journey as simple as possible:
15 Effective Tips to Reduce Stress During a Move
1. Plan your move in advance.
Planning your move plenty of time ahead will help you control costs, reduce stress, and maintain discipline on moving days. By establishing a budget upfront, you can begin to pack at your own pace; taking more time on items that are difficult to replace will help avoid an impulsive last-minute spending spree.
2. Create a to-do list for the days leading up to the move and pack accordingly.
Coming up with a list of items that need to be packed will help you get organized and avoid the stress of forgetting something important. And by sorting through your things in stages, you’ll be able to pack up your house more deliberately and avoid the stress of trying to cram everything into boxes at the very last minute.
3. Find a moving company with good reviews.
The search for a moving company means looking for essential elements like good reviews. When finding a moving company, make sure to research the reviews online. That is where you will find out what other people are saying about the company and gain more insight into whether or not this moving company is right for you.
4. Keep your stress in check.
Stress can be dangerous and can be detrimental to your health! High blood pressure puts strain on your heart over time- which means that if you’re stressed during the move, it could come back to hurt you later. Make sure to take good care of yourself and implement good habits into your daily routine. To start, you can eat nutritious food, get enough exercise, and sleep well to prepare your body for all of the physical activity associated with moving and, more importantly, avoid any health concerns later on.
5. Find a company that offers both packing and unpacking services.
It’s best to hire movers who offer packing and unpacking services. If you are hiring movers that are just responsible for packing, they will have to pack everything in your home before transporting it. Even if you plan on doing the unpacking yourself, having the movers already there with boxes and tape will make things go much more quickly once you arrive at your new home.
6. Take a look at what’s important to you.
A major life event like moving allows us to reevaluate what’s most important to us- which can be surprisingly therapeutic when moving is stressful. By taking a moment to think about what matters in life, you may find that moving doesn’t bother you as much as it seems like it would. Although change is scary, finding out what matters in life can be somewhat comforting.
7. Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing.
It’s essential to plan for moving day, which means organizing all of your belongings in advance. Remember that whatever you don’t pack will become your responsibility once the movers arrive, so make sure to DIY as much as possible beforehand! When you leave it to the last minute, it won’t only stress both you and the movers out, but you could also end up with broken belongings.
8. Choose a moving company with experience with your specific type of move, such as international or local.
Hiring professional movers with experience with your specific type of move will help ensure that they are familiar with local customs and regulations, which means a more smooth process for you. With an experienced team on your side, moving should no longer feel like something to dread.
9. Sort your belongings in cardboard boxes/containers labeled by room or type of item to make unpacking easier.
Putting labels on boxes is a great way to help yourself stay organized during packing. Make sure that you are being as specific as possible with your labels so that nothing gets lost! For example, instead of just labeling a box “kitchen,” create sub-labels like “pots and pans” or “glassware.” Labeling all boxes clearly with what’s inside them will also make it easy for movers to find their way around your new home as they set up all your belongings.
10. Pack fragile items first so they are easier to transport.
When you are packing a moving truck, fragile items should be your priority. That will ensure that they get to the new place in one piece and will save you from having to worry about unpacking them when they arrive! By taking good care of breakable belongings when packing, you can avoid excessive stress when it’s time to unload all your belongings.
11. Pack your clothes in sturdy boxes, so they don’t get wrinkled or damaged during the move.
If you have a lot of clothes, it can be a good idea to pack them in sturdy boxes so that they don’t get wrinkled or dirty during transit. That will also make it easier for movers to place your wardrobe boxes in the appropriate rooms upon arrival. When you’re ready to unpack, open up each box and hang everything as soon as possible after opening.
12. Take inventory of what is going into storage before packing it up.
In the case that you’ll be acquiring storage, it’s a good idea to measure your storage unit before the movers arrive so that you can take inventory of how much space everything will take up. Having an accurate measurement will help prevent overpaying for a storage unit and leave you with plenty of extra room. Additionally, knowing how much space you have to work with means packing up your stuff in the most efficient way possible.
13. Make sure all furniture is properly secured on the truck before the move.
Moving trucks aren’t exactly known for their stability, which is why it’s imperative to make sure that all furniture is properly tied down before moving day. Not only can this help avoid any damages to belongings, but it will also keep you safe- nobody likes falling off of a truck! By keeping an eye on your furniture during transit, you will be able to enjoy your move without worrying about anything getting damaged.
14. When scheduling your move, book enough time between appointments, so nothing feels rushed or hectic.
Although most things related to moving are stressful, showing up late shouldn’t be included in that list! Make sure that everyone involved with the process has enough time by plenty of breaks and double-checking everyone.
15. Arrange for someone to clean out your place before you move out so that they can get an idea of what needs to be done.
Before you leave the old place for good, it’s a good idea to have someone go through all your things and clean up. That will help get rid of unnecessary clutter and prepare your new place for your arrival by giving movers an idea of what needs to be moved. It can also be helpful to take pictures before leaving so that everything is documented in case any damages are incurred during transit.
We hope we’ve given you some valuable tips for your next move, and if you’d like to see more, browse our blog for more helpful hacks and information!