7 Tips to Reduce Anxiety and Stress When Moving into a New House

Whether you’ve decided to accept a new job offer in another city, found the perfect rented apartment in the city you live or finally closed on the home of your dreams, a fresh start is always exciting, isn’t it? But, packing all your belongings into boxes and lugging it all to a new home, is that exciting enough? Well not as much.

Shifting to new house is quite crazy and stressful. Here are 7 ways to ease and manage your stress before, during, and after you’ve boxed up your life.

1.      Accept that stress is a normal part of the moving process

Stress is a natural human response to a demanding circumstance. The anxiety of moving to new home with family and/or pets is tough, but that is how it is going to be. So accept it and don’t let it deter you from the tasks at hand.

2.      Be organized and Plan in Advance

A stress free move might not be possible, but you can make it a whole lot easier by making sure to allot enough time to getting everything done.

• Give yourself enough time for researching and selecting a Packers & Movers company or rental truck, setting up utilities in your new home, and cleaning the home that you’re leaving and the one you’re getting into. The more you leave to the last minute, the more frantic you’ll inevitably feel.
• Plan a schedule for packing your stuff. Block you dates and focus exclusively on packing, especially your documents and valuables (jewellery, watches etc).

3.     Steps to take before you move out

Let us look at few things to do before moving into new house.

• De-clutter: Clutter creates stress. So you must first sort your stuff and weed out the items you don’t need any more. You can even categorize your household items as ‘Sell, Donate and Discard’. Throw away or recycle any items that have little or no use left in them. Try to consume the contents of your refrigerator and pantry.
• Create A Moving To-Do List

Carry a notebook with you at all times that lists out all the necessary things you need to do before moving day. Then, when something additional pops into your mind, you may write it down right away.

Essentially things to list out are disconnection dates for utilities, dropping off your cable box, donating, selling and discarding stuff etc. Once the list is pretty complete add the tasks to your calendar.

• Have the new house professionally cleaned
• Have spare keys cut for your new house

4.     Tips for the day of packing and a day prior

• Pack one room at a time

If you focus on one room at a time, it’ll reduce your stress and help you keep things organized.

• Move on a less popular day

Packers & movers are busiest on weekends, so if you can skip Saturday and schedule your move for a weekday, you’ll be looking at a decent discount and avoid the craziness.

• Get Enough Sleep And Pack An Overnight Bag
• Boxes Labelling

Sorting and labelling boxes in a way that makes them easier to unpack will ease out your stress.

• Prepare a bag to keep all the documents you might need – the contract with your movers, new lease, etc.
• Have a plan for children and pets

Ask a family friend or family member to take care of them for the day and to pick them up before the packers arrive, so that they can avoid the boredom and uncertainty.

5.      Hire Professional Movers

Nothing helps relieve the stress of moving more than handing off the shifting process to a professional Packers & Movers company. In addition to helping with the heavy lifting on moving day, movers can also help pack up your things and safely wrap up and transport hard to pack items like lamps and art.

6.     Tips after you have shifted into your new house:

Let us run through a few steps things to do after moving into a new house

• Inspect Delivered Boxes: Inspect and check each moving box against the detailed list as it is carried inside your new home, and if a box or a household item happens to be missing, notify the moving crew right away and check together if it was left in the moving truck by mistake.
• Once the movers leave, inspect the content of each box, for any damage. If you find out broken or damaged goods, note down the specific damage contact the moving company.
• Get Your Utilities Up And Running: Electricity, Gas, Internet and landline connections are a must followed by Dish/Cable connection.
• Unpack Essentials: Unpack the essential items first. You may need professional help to re-assemble your bed; get that done by your packers itself. Unpacking and arranging the kitchen is also a priority but the task can wait for 1-2 days until you get back on your feet. Order food from outside then and make arrangement to prepare coffee milk and tea only.
• Check for any signs of pest infestation; call a pest control company to do the needful.
• Inspect each and every room for visible signs of damage, especially from water or fire. Check for plumbing leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
• Change the locks on all outside doors to ensure that you and your family are the only persons who have access to your new home. Double-check all windows and doors and make sure they close securely.
• Change your address for banks, phones, gas and internet connections. Update friends and family with your new contact information

7.     Ask for Help

At any point of time, if you’re feeling stressed during your move, ask a friend or family member for help, or even just some company while you pack or unpack. An extra set of hands can greatly minimize the stress of moving.

Moving into a new house can take a lot out of you both physically and mentally; allow yourself to properly recharge every night, and you’ll notice you’re more efficient and a whole lot less stressed. When it’s all over, consider treating yourself to a de-stressor, like a massage or a nice evening out. You truly deserve it then!