Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
Moving is stressful. It can be one of the most challenging experiences that a person will go through in their lifetime. There are so many things to think about: the packing, the organizing, the planning, and of course, the actual move itself. And then there's the aftermath – unpacking, settling in, getting organized in your new home. It can all feel a bit overwhelming.
Before giving you some tips to make the process easier, let's discuss why moving is stressful?
CALCULATE MY MOVE
Moving can cause stress because there are so many things to think about. But, even before the big move day arrives, you have a lot of work ahead of you to get ready for your relocation. There is always a lot that needs to be done when moving into any new home: packing suitcases, arranging for movers and realtors, making travel plans. In addition to all of this, you have to go through the process of getting ready to move, which generally involves finding somewhere new to live in and packing up your old home. This can be a demanding time that leaves many people feeling stressed out and exhausted. There are a few reasons to feel more stressed when moving.
Every move entails significant changes. Even if your new home is in the same city as your old one, you are making a massive change by transitioning into a completely new life. Your things have to be packed up and brought with you or sold. You have to find ways of securing all of your belongings, which can also take time. And then there's getting used to all of the changes in your new home, too. Hence it is natural to feel anxious and stressed.
Moving takes a long time, and it seems like you have to do a lot in a short time. You may be uprooting yourself from your entire life or at least certain parts of it. Even if you are moving somewhere relatively close by, time can pass very slowly while you're waiting for your move to occur. And the actual moving process can take up a lot of time.
Another reason for generating a lot of tension while relocating is the cost of money. You have to spend a lot of money on movers, boxes, tools to help you pack, transportation fees, etc. You may find our article on Moving Budget Checklist helpful in this.
Now let's get into some tips about managing stress when moving. If you are prepared for your move in advance and know precisely what needs doing, the process will be much easier to manage.
I know moving to another place is very stressful but you should know some small things that can be helpful. The first thing is to give yourself time – at least two months before moving. It would help if you had time to plan and think about your move; getting organized and packing up your life will take time. Most importantly, enjoy the process; it will help you reduce your stress level.
You don't need to do all your packing and then move. Depending on how stressed you are, you can break it into chunks and complete one room per day or even one box per day. It is essential to keep in mind that you should not overwhelm yourself with moving day work. If you are feeling overwhelmed already, it would be better not to pack or do anything that day. Refer our Guide on Moving Day Tips to help you out on this.
Little breaks during moving day work will keep you fresh and enthusiastic about the work. It can help you avoid being overwhelmed by stress. Try taking a five-minute shower break, stretch your muscles for a few minutes, and walk around outside.
Don't start packing without a list. Make a complete checklist, and do not forget anything. You can add or delete some items from your checklist while packing but never forget the important things. Please put all your belongings in boxes and mark each box with what room to be placed.
Also See: What should be done on your Moving Checklist
After moving to a new place, you might feel that all the work is done and can now relax. But before relaxing, make sure everything is in place; everything has its place and is organized the way it should be. Otherwise, you will feel like there is still packing up left to do, and that will make you stressed again.
The first few days in a new place can be exhausting because it is time to settle down, organize, and arrange everything. There will be other important things like meeting neighbors and relatives to attend to, and the other problems a new person faces in a new place will also make you stressed. But if you do not give yourself a break and think about all this stuff, you might feel even more overwhelmed.
Before packing, always segregate things to take with you, things for donation, or things to give away. You can also consult your neighborhood charity or goodwill store so that they can come over and pick up the stuff for donation.
It would be best to start packing with the valuable stuff to you or hold a lot of sentimental value. You would not want to forget anything valuable, so starting with these items will help you keep track of everything. As you go on with your process, pack up all non-valuable things last because, in the end, you will have lesser things to pack.
Organize everything so that it is simple to pack, and you will save a lot of time. Keep all similar items together so that you can pack them in a single box. For example, keep your clothes from various rooms in one single box and put all medicine boxes in one place, and so on.
As you have decided to move, it is advisable to start as soon as possible. This way you will have much less to do and a lot more time to prepare for your move. First, decide whether you want to pack everything yourself or hire movers. If it's the latter, then start looking for companies as well as contacting them. You should also contact utility providers like Internet, gas, water, etc. They will need time to disconnect your account.
Before moving, it is very important to take care of all the animals in your house because if you think of taking them only later, it might become very stressful for you. Ensure they are fed and get fresh water, arrange for their transport to the new place, make them comfortable during the move.
Also See: Moving with Dogs | Moving with Pets
Don't worry about packing everything; start with packing small stuff first. You have less time to pack smaller things, so you should prioritize this task first. You can take help from your friends or family members to pack up all small items because these are the things that will be over first.
If you are moving to a new place on your own, then the chances of forgetting something important are higher. This is why it is better to hire professional movers so that they can take care of everything for you while packing, including loading and unloading.
Also Read our Article on How to Choose a Moving Company.
If you have decided to hire movers, then there are certain red flags that you should consider before actually hiring movers. For example, what is included in their service? Will they pack your belongings, or do you need to pack on your own? If they are packing, you need to tell them what things to pack and whatnot. It would help if you also communicated with them to understand your expectations completely.
Before shifting, always research the new city, culture, environment, etc. You can explore online to find the best places in your new city so that you feel good about it right from the beginning, or if you are moving abroad, then also research how life is there.
Packing everything can be very tiring and stressful, especially when you do it yourself. It is always better to get some help if possible. If your family and friends are helping you with the move, you can take their help during heavy lifting or moving furniture around for arranging stuff, etc.
Most importantly, you need to sleep properly and relax. Do not get stressed about the move; otherwise, all this tension will give you a headache. Meditate for some time, take small breaks and sleep for at least 6 to 7 hours daily. You will feel fresh and energetic when the move day comes, so you should start in a great mood.
It may be tough to say goodbye to your pals, favorite hangouts, and old homes, but it's also a crucial step in moving on. If you're moving far away and don't expect to see these people or locations again, take the time to thank them truly. Make your final recollections of your former home happy ones.
After all the hard work, you deserve to enjoy your new home. Get out and explore your new town, get a change of scenery at a nearby lake or beach if it's summertime, check out the local museums and galleries, go shopping in a local boutique.
Also See: Tips to Stay Calm During a Move
Conclusion
It is important to manage your stress levels when moving. You can do many things before the move day comes that will help reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you experience on that big day. It would be best if you talked to friends or family about helping with heavy lifting, packing all the small items, and arranging furniture, for example. It's also essential to sleep properly and eat healthy foods to keep your immune system strong during this period and give yourself some downtime from all the hard work, so be sure not to overdo it! The rewards come after all the hard work—enjoy exploring your new home city once everything has been unpacked!
How do you cope with moving stress?
Make a checklist, start early, prepare a budget and stick to strictly. Don't panic; try to keep yourself calm and relaxed. Most importantly, hire a professional mover to help you in the moving process.
Why am I so stressed about moving?
There are several reasons to get stressed about moving. You might be stressed because you are moving to a new place or leaving your friends and family behind, the new schools you will have to attend, etc. Regardless of the reasons, you need to keep your stress under control to get out of hand.
What are the signs of moving stress?
There could be various signs of moving stress such as poor eating habits, sleeping trouble, less focus on work, or other things. You might also experience anxiety and depression while going through the relocation process.
How can you manage stress when moving?
You need to take care of your physical and mental health before the big day. Start exercising, eat healthy, keep yourself hydrated with enough water, go for a walk in nature for some fresh air every day. Sleep well, communicate with family or friends about all the help they can give you and once everything is over, enjoy your new place.
Fill Out the Form and Get 100% Free Moving Quote!
Quick Response
Satisfaction Guarantee
Expert & Professional
Professional Approach
High Quality Work
24/7 Emergency
Complete the form to get instant quotes! Its that easy!
Privacy Policy Terms Of Use
We will send you a text with a short verification code
9Kilo brings the movers directly to you! We'll find the top moving companies for your needs and have them call you right away. Search no more. Just sit back and relax!
This is your estimated moving cost. Professional movers will contact you within one business day.
We're sorry, but we are unable to service this move because it is considered a local move.