While moving is an exciting time — with a new home and new adventures awaiting — it also brings change and chaos into your life. It’s no wonder that a recent survey identified moving as a more significant source of stress than a breakup, a new baby, or a new job!

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce moving-related anxiety, and many of them start with packing. These packing tips will help lessen the hassle of moving day and make the process less stressful.

Get a Head Start on Packing

Much of the stress surrounding moving boils down to one thing: Time. There’s so much to do in a relocation and a limited amount of time to do it in.

That’s why getting a head start is vital. As soon as you nail down a moving date, start the packing process. If you give yourself a few weeks to pack, your stress level will drop, along with that sense of nagging urgency.

Purge Before You Pack

Purging unwanted and unneeded items means you’ll have less to move and less to pack and unpack. Taking the time to purge before packing is critical.

Start by going through your belongs, room by room. Categorize everything you own into buckets:

• Keep
• Give away/Donate to charity
• Sell
• Trash or recycle

Not only will you feel more organized, but you can also even reduce your moving bill. After all, there’s no need to pay to move items you don’t want or don’t use anymore — and doesn’t paying less reduce stress?

Pack in Order

To reduce stress, start the packing process in your least-used rooms, and pack up your most-used rooms closer to moving day.

This approach tends to offer the least disruption to your everyday life. In many cases, This may mean packing up storage areas, such as attics, sheds, and garages, first.

Next, move on to guest rooms and the closets that you don’t get into much. Save the most used spaces in your home — living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms — for last.

Use the Right Supplies

Trying to shove things into too-small boxes or conserving bubble wrap may help you save money or time —  but it’ll add to your stress level.

While it may be tempting, don’t skimp on packing supplies. Plenty of packing paper, tape, bubble wrap, and sturdy boxes in various sizes won’t just make packing easier. The right supplies help ensure your belongings get to your new home safely. Not worrying about your objects breaking will help reduce your anxiety.

Start Small

If it all just seems a bit overwhelming, that understandable! Moving isn’t easy. But sometimes, just taking small steps can help you get going in the right direction.

Just remember that even if you’re walking over a mountain, you still have to take one step at a time. Apply this philosophy to moving, and your stress level should fall.

Doing little things — even packing up the contents of a single drawer or all the books on one shelf — will add up quickly. When you’ve given yourself enough time to take small steps, you can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about how you’re going to get it all done.

Pro Movers Help Reduce Stress

Nothing reduces stress quite as much as working with a professional moving company. For help with your move, contact us for a quote.