Moving Survival Tips: How to Handle Frequent Moves
If you’re a bird, you move south for the winter on a yearly basis. It’s no big deal. For most of the rest of us, a yearly move is a bit more frequent than we’d prefer. After all, 1-in-8 Americans consider moving more stressful than jail, according to StudyFinds.
This can be out of your control, however. Whether you’re in the military, a college student or move frequently because of your profession, it can be tough to handle. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Here are some tips to help you handle frequent moves.
Tip #1: Practice Breathing and Meditation Techniques
If you just found out you have to move again… breathe! Count to four, 10, 100 or 1,000 if you have to. Focus on breathing slowly, getting oxygen to your brain and ridding your mind of anything causing stress. Once you’re calm, move on to the other tips on this list.
Tip #2: Prepare As Early As Possible
Get ready for your move ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute; act now while things aren’t hectic. As soon as you find out you’re moving, you can begin to make plans. The earlier you start, the more you’ll be able to pace yourself up until move day instead of having to scramble to organize everything. Consider talking to a moving specialist as well.
Tip #3: Hire Full-Service Pros
If you don’t handle frequent moves well, it might be time to go the full-service route. When you hire a residential mover for a full-service move, they handle everything from packing and unpacking to loading, transportation and unloading. (IMS Relocation is a go-to company for full-service moves.)
Tip #4: Purge Unnecessary Belongings
The less things you have to move, the less overall work. Early in the process, go through your items and see if there is anything you can trash, donate or sell. By downsizing, you’ll have less to worry about in general.
Tip #5: Invest In a Portable Storage Container
Portable storage containers have several benefits. For one, they let you pack and unpack on your timetable—yes, you can take as long as you want. Second, they’re simple to use—just call the container company to have them delivered and call again when you’re ready for them to be picked up. They can be delivered to your new location and you can store them on site or in a secure warehouse facility.
Tip #6: Set Up Utilities Ahead of Time
While it’s a small thing, it can cause a lot of stress if you forget it. Try to schedule the end of utilities at your current location and schedule the start of new utilities at your next location as soon as you can.
Tip #7: Unpack Right Away
The more items you leave in boxes, the more likely they’ll stay in those boxes forever. Leaving items unpacked can put you on edge and you won’t experience that relaxing “nesting” feeling of making your new space your own. Unpack your items right away and you’ll be glad you did.
Want to hire a moving company that can take away the stress of moving? Consider IMS Relocation. Give us a call at 800-559-2112 for a no-obligation quote today.