10 Ways to Reduce Stress When Moving House

Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it often comes with its fair share of stress. in this article, we look at the common causes of stress when moving and some tips to reduce stress when moving house.  

There are many reasons for feeling stressed when moving home, which include:

• Change and Uncertainty
• Packing and Organising Pressure
• Financial Worries
• Logistical Challenges
• Emotional Attachments
• Paperwork and Admin Pressure
• Time Constraints
• Unforeseen Issues
• Physical Exhaustion
• Adjusting to a New Home

To help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible, in this blog, we give you our 15 most valuable tips for a stress-free move:

1. Start Packing Early: Begin packing well in advance to avoid a last-minute rush. As part of the packing process, take time to declutter and organise your belongings efficiently. Pack the things you don’t use regularly first, as you won’t need them, take each room one at a time and ensure boxes are labelled in case you do need to gain access.
2. Plan Ahead: Create a comprehensive moving plan or checklist well ahead of moving day and work through this list with time to spare. Knowing what to expect and when can alleviate anxiety and prevent unforeseen issues. Things to plan in advance include booking removals and time off work, planning logistics on moving day, arranging storage, creating a cleaning checklist, cancelling utilities and changing your address.
3. Use a Removal Company: It isn’t always necessary to use a removal company, particularly if you are a first-time buyer with little furniture to move or if you aren’t moving very far. However, hiring a professional removal company can significantly reduce stress. They have the experience and equipment to handle the heavy lifting and logistics, and some even offer a full packing service.
4. Keep a positive outlook: Moving home is a time of change and can be an emotional time. Be sure to remind yourself of your reasons for moving and the exciting opportunities your new home will bring. This could be new job opportunities, being closer to friends and family or simply a fresh start.
5. Pack Essentials Separately: Pack an ‘essentials’ box with essential items like toiletries, clothing, and important documents. This ensures you have what you need immediately upon arrival and you won’t feel stressed trying to find key items and documents on moving day.
6. Get Support: Enlist the help of friends and family where possible. Even a small bit of help with cleaning or packing can make the moving process more manageable, less overwhelming and even more fun.
7. Find Time To Rest: Whether it is meditation, sleep or just time to enjoy activities away from the moving process, don’t underestimate the importance of rest and taking a break. Above all, prioritise a good night’s rest to stay physically and mentally strong.
8. Move on a Friday: If possible, schedule your move for a Friday or during the weekend. This gives you a couple of days over the weekend to settle in and get things organised before the working week begins.
9. Organise Your Packing: Clearly labelling boxes by room and contents, or even colour-coding boxes, makes unpacking much easier and less stressful. Try to keep packed boxes in one place so your home does not feel too disorganised in the weeks leading up to your move.
10. Declutter: Moving home is a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of the items you no longer need. If this is done early enough, you can even sort through items and donate some to charity. Decluttering also means you will have fewer items to move, which will speed up the packing process.
11. Stay On Top of Admin: Update your address with all relevant parties, like utilities, banks, and subscriptions, before the move to prevent any disruption in services. Review your current packages and providers and plan installations in advance.
12. Move-in Stages: If you have the flexibility, move some items into your new home before the official moving day.  This may involve negotiation with the seller, but a gradual transition can ease the stress of the big move. The other option is to put items in storage and move them gradually after moving day, which is particularly useful if your property is undergoing renovations.
13. Ask Questions: During the home buying process, make sure you ask the estate agent ot conveyancer if you have concerns or questions. Clear communication can mean issues are solved easily and quickly, and unnecessary delays are avoided.
14. Sort the Bedroom First: Assemble your bed or make up a mattress first and unpack the essentials. Having one room where you can relax and making sure that you have a comfortable sleeping space can reduce stress on your first night.
15. Use a Storage Unit or With Friends and Family: If there’s a gap between moving out of your old home and into the new one, or if you want to move your furniture in stages, you might want to consider using a local storage unit or temporarily storing items with friends or family. This gives you greater flexibility and helps to alleviate the stress of sticking to tight timelines.

By following these simple strategies, you can navigate the moving process with less stress, ensuring a smoother journey to your new home and helping you settle in quickly and easily.