Top Tips to Eliminate Stress When Moving Home

Aside from relationship break-ups and the loss of a loved one, moving house is one of life’s most stressful events. You’re not just changing home, you might be in a totally new area, have to find new schools for your children, take a new commute to work and register with a new GP. The lack of order and uncertainty surrounding a house move can trigger all kinds of emotions, so it is important to understand the need for planning to eliminate stress when moving home – otherwise, you may well need a trip to that new GP!

And that’s not to mention the endless list of things you have to do to prepare for moving house. You’ve got to organise removals, pack up all your belongings, clean your house, sort through all the paperwork and unpack when you reach the other end.

But moving into a new home should not be stressful – it should be exciting – you get a fresh start, new opportunities, and the chance to make your new place your own. So, luckily for you, there are several things you can do to make the house moving process stress-free. Here are our top tips to eliminate stress when moving home.

Get organised

You should allow plenty of time to prepare for your move and start the process as soon as possible. Many people start thinking about their move far too late which results in unnecessary last-minute stress.

Before you start packing up all your belongings, think about having a sort out of your possessions. This could be decluttering so you are not moving things you no longer want or need. Doing this will give you a better idea of how much stuff you will have to move on the big day.

You may find these clutter clearing tips useful. Going through the process and knowing you are not taking unloved and unnecessary items to your new home is a cathartic process and an excellent way to reduce stress levels for that later stage when you start unpacking and deciding where to put everything. After all, who wants clutter in a new home!

Another terrific way to prepare for moving house is to research the area you are moving to. This way, you will not feel totally lost when you get there. For example, you could find out where the nearest supermarket is, look at how long it will take you to walk your kids to school or see what local clubs or activities you might be able to get involved in to meet new people.

Change your address

As part of your preparation for moving house, make sure you notify all the essential providers and companies. This is something many home-movers often leave until last minute, instead preferring to focus on the more obvious tasks. However, failing to update your address with certain institutions could result in penalties, missing out on important correspondence, or even identity theft.

To eliminate the stress of notifying all your providers just before or after you have moved, make sure you are organised and make this a priority. For example, you’ll need to complete your NHS change of address to ensure your medical records are kept up to date and that you receive any important news about your health to the correct address.

Organise utilities

Another thing you can do to reduce the stress of moving home is to organise your utilities. It is so easy to forget to take final meter readings when you have so many other things to think about, but it will make everything so much easier. You can even take photos on your phone so you do not end up losing your readings.

If you are not sticking with the same provider in your new home, it might be worth giving them a call to let them know you are moving in and the account is finished – just in case your seller was not as organised as you.

Organising your utilities in advance will mean you can easily account for any final bills you will have to pay.

Prepare the essentials

Before moving day, ensure you have packed a moving day survival kit of essentials. This will mean that you can find them no matter how chaotic everything gets. Your box of essentials should include anything you might need throughout the day (and the first night), such as medication, toiletries, chargers, bottles of water, and snacks, as well as any important documents that you do not want to misplace. It’s super important to have easy access to the supplies that will keep you hydrated and well-fed on such a busy and hectic day.

Be kind to yourself

Don’t be surprised if you feel more tired and anxious on moving day than you usually do. This is totally normal and it is important to notice this and take care of yourself properly. While there is no doubt that you’ll have a lot to do, make sure you take time to eat and rest. Try to take regular breaks throughout the day – go for a walk or spend time with friends. If you are feeling really overwhelmed, give some breathing exercises or visualisations a go – these can be done in just a few minutes.

Ask for help

Many people avoid asking for help when moving house, attempting to complete this mammoth task all by themselves. But you should not feel any shame in asking for assistance. In fact, you should try to recruit as much help as you can – it will go a long way to making your day less stressful. Friends and family will be more than happy to lend a helping hand, and you should accept these offers willingly. Even if someone is not able to lug heavy boxes upstairs, they could help you clean or even just cook a meal at the end of the day.

Go Slowly

We know that you will likely want to get everything done as soon as possible on moving day so that you can just sit back, relax, and start settling into your new home. But speeding through the process can be incredibly exhausting. Instead, you should set realistic expectations of how much you want to get done – do not expect to have unpacked your entire house on the first night!

Remember, it will take lots of time for you to fully unpack and get your new home looking exactly how you want it, so don’t pressure yourself to get everything together immediately. Take time to relax and unwind. Try to enjoy the process and the start of this new chapter in your life, rather than rushing it.