Moving is stressful and minimising the hassle is important - here are some tips to do just that.
Accept The Reality Of Stress
Beginning with acceptance is the best way to beat moving stress according to professional mental health specialists. Admit to yourself that there are going to be some hassles, both expected and unexpected, along the way. When you prepare yourself realistically, you're better equipped to deal with moving stress when you encounter it. Everyone has had to overcome stress at some point in his or her life. Remind yourself of past moments - in school, at work, while playing sports - when you dealt with stress and pushed through it to accomplish your goals. Stress is a natural human response to unfamiliar challenges. It does not make those challenges any more difficult, and it does not make it impossible to do what you want to do. Acknowledge stress when you feel it, but remember that you are its master.
Budget Extra Time
A vast number of stressful moving situations boil down to running short of time and dealing with estate agents like Martyn Gerrard Mill Hill. While it might not be possible to plan out a move that's completely free of stress, you can smooth the path ahead of yourself considerably if you lay out a generous schedule. For a start, give yourself two days for the packing process for each bedroom in your home. You need two days for a studio apartment, three to four days for a two-bedroom home, five to six days for a three-bedroom house, and so on. This is just for the core job of packing; your schedule also needs time for the other steps in the moving process. Renting a truck or selecting a moving company, starting utility service at your new home, move-out cleaning - it all takes time. The more carefully you plan and the more time you give to each necessary step, the less frantic your move will be.
Work From Small Tasks To Big Ones
Get comfortable with the proverb "to move a mountain, start by carrying off small stones." Your first moving jobs should be the little ones. Accomplishing several small tasks adds up to making big progress. It can also be cathartic to set aside stressful planning questions and simply get something done. Pack up one of your kitchen cabinets or clear out a shelf on your bookcase. Showing yourself that you can make progress is important to managing your stress levels. If you can take a moment to set the big picture aside and concentrate on accomplishing one clear task, you'll reduce your stress levels while also taking steps toward finishing the whole move.
Organize
The key to reconciling those last two tips - to plan your time and to just start working - is to organize. Make the most out of your planning process by keeping both your tasks and your possessions organized. Come up with a consistent and useful system for labeling your boxes. This will be handy in both the packing and unpacking process! Take special care to collect all of your most important documents for the move - moving contracts, new leases, and so forth - in one convenient packet so that you always know where they are. Prioritizing organization from the very start will ensure that you stay productive and don't waste any of your time. Clarity and certainty can be powerful stress-busters!
Take Advantage Of Professional Expertise
As long as you have space for it in your budget, hiring a professional moving company is one of the biggest stress-reducing steps you can take. Professional movers can work wonders throughout the moving process. They don't just handle your heavy lifting on the day of the move itself. You can also rely on expert movers to handle the trickier parts of packing. Got art, lamps, and other tricky pieces? Let the professionals bundle them up safely! As long as you take the time to verify that you're working with a reliable moving company, hiring pros can take a lot of stress out of moving. (Check out our directory of moving companies to start your research.)
Don't Be Afraid Of Getting Help
In moving as in all parts of life, you're allowed to get help from friends. At any point in the moving process, remember that you can ask friends or relatives for assistance. Sometimes simply having somebody to keep you company during the packing or unpacking process can bring your stress level down. An extra pair of hands is a powerful asset during a move. Getting someone else involved keeps you focused on making progress and keeps you engaged rather than letting the size of the job overwhelm you. In order to maximize positive responses and avoid passing your stress off to your friends, always ask for help as far in advance as possible. Make an effort to express your gratitude for the help you receive, too.
Stay Well Rested
When your schedule gets full, a full night's sleep often gets sacrificed. Find a better time management strategy when you move. You're more vulnerable to stress when you're poorly-rested. Give sleep the priority it deserves. The moving process can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. Get plenty of sleep to keep your energy levels up. The more often you get a good night's sleep, the more productive and effective you can be in preparing for your move. Keeping your sleep schedule healthy goes a long way toward defusing the stress of moving.
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