Moving Tips to Help Ease Your Stress

Moving into a new house can be equal parts exciting and stressful. It’s also a process the majority of Americans are very familiar with. 13% of Americans move each year.

That means millions of people deal with planning, packing, cleaning, hauling and unpacking all the time. Surely we can learn a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some moving tips designed specifically to cut down on the chaos. There’s no way to make moving relaxing. But there are several pragmatic things you can do to lower your stress level.

Here’s how to make moving a little easier.

7 Ways to Lower Moving Stress

Our list of tips won’t solve every potential moving hassle. (Frankly, that’s just not possible. Moving is a big task.) But we’ve taken the time to compile our best tips for making your next move less chaotic—and less stressful.

1. Make Checklists

Checklists are a classic moving tip, and for good reason.

Writing out physical checklists will help you organize your thoughts, multi-task, and manage your time. You can even make a few different checklists for different aspects of the move.

One checklist, for example, could be for packing, while another could be for prepping your new home (finding a home service contractor, calling about utilities, enrolling kids in a new school, etc.).

2. Start Packing Early

The earlier you start packing, the less rushed you’ll feel later.

That’s because packing up your belongings can be a lengthy and tiresome process. But it’s so much easier when you’re able to take your time.

We recommend you start with items that will ease your mind. For example, you might feel better if treasured keepsakes and rare breakables are already safely tucked away. So, maybe you start with those.

Or you can begin with the simpler packing tasks if that’s more your speed. You can always focus on the more complicated packing chores later.

You know yourself. Start packing early, and begin with the items that will be easiest for you to tackle first.

3. Label Your Boxes

You’re not fully moved into your new home until you’ve unpacked your things. Everything.

Unfortunately, many people focus only on the packing portion of the move. It’s best to also think about the unpacking that lies ahead. One of the easiest ways to do that is also super easy and cheap.

Just use a permanent marker to label each box.

When packing, it’s essential to sort and label your boxes in a way that will make them easier to unpack later on. This saves you from having to waste your time trying to guess which of your belongings are in which box.

With labeled boxes, you can move them into the appropriate room and go straight into unpacking.

4. Get Lots of Sleep

Don’t be tempted to give up sleep to get more packing done. In fact, you should try your best to get a full night’s rest as frequently as you can leading up to the move.

That’s because moving can be emotionally and physically draining. If you start to fall behind on sleep, you’ll be less efficient and significantly more stressed out.

Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like a waste of time, especially if you have a lot of packing to do in the days immediately before the move. But you’ll save time in the long run if you’re fully rested.

You’ll be much better equipped to handle the various tasks and responsibilities of moving. (And you’ll be a lot easier to be around!)

5. Hire Professional Movers

Hiring a professional moving company is one of the most effective ways to ease your stress during a move.

They have the experience, resources and manpower necessary to haul all your stuff from one place to another. Some moving companies will even pack your belonging for you if you wish.

Plus, they’ll ensure that everything arrives on time and in one piece.

Be aware, though, that this tip comes at a price. Depending on where you live, how far you’re moving, and how much you own, the cost of hiring movers can be as low as a few hundred dollars and as high as thousands.

But we recommend that you get at least three quotes. If you’re able to find a reputable mover in your price range, they’ll save you a lot of headaches.

6. Ask for Help

There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to friends and family for help during your move. A few extra sets of hands could make the difference between a stressful move and a pleasant move. (Or at least a less stressful move!)

Your loved ones can help with various aspects of the move. This includes everything from packing to unpacking—and all the fun tasks in between.

If you’re concerned this is just too big a favor to request, it’s worth knowing that asking for help during a move is a socially acceptable and common thing to do. Be selective, of course. Don’t ask a co-worker you hardly know. But your close friends and family won’t be shocked if you reach out to them.

To show your appreciation, consider supplying their meals the day of (pizza and drinks are cheap and easy, even during a move), and remember to say thank you a lot.

7. Schedule Some Downtime

It’s not unusual to feel anxious in the days leading up to your move. And the actual day of the move is sure to be stressful.

That’s why we recommend scheduling some downtime along the way.

That could be the weekend before or a single day the week of when you try not to think about moving at all. Instead, go for a hike, go out to eat, watch movies, get a massage, or do something else totally relaxing.

If you’re really busy, taking even one day off to recharge can help you mentally prepare for what’s ahead.

Wrapping Up

There you have it. A few simple, practical things you can do to make moving a little less chaotic.

Stress during a move is inevitable. But if you plan ahead and prepare for it, it won’t be nearly as bad.