7 Tips on How to Deal with Moving House Stress in 2023
Moving to a new home is super exciting, but not exactly stress-free. Packing up your stuff, dealing with utilities, making arrangements for your new pad… the list goes on. But how exactly do you deal with moving house stress? That's exactly what this article will help with.
Spending time preparing for a new home is super exciting, but one thing it isn't, is stress free. Packing up your stuff, dealing with utilities providers, making arrangements for your new pad… you might find stress starting to sneak in, even though moving day is still a long way off.
So, just how stressful is moving house? Research shows that nearly one in three people found moving house to be more stressful for their mental health than childbirth. In fact, people find a home move more stressful than getting married, job interviews, and driving tests, making it one of the most stressful events of a person's entire life. That’s some seriously straining stuff.
Thankfully, these tips for a stress-free house move are here to save the day. Keep reading to find out how to get started - but not before we consider some of the main reasons why moving house is so stressful.
Why is Moving House so Stressful?
A lot of moving house quotes refer to the stress and anxiety that comes with a big move and the toll it can take on your mental health. While this is all with good reason, our favourite quote has to be this one:
“Happiness doesn’t have just one address.”
There’s no doubt that moving house is a stressful time, but understanding the reasons behind this stress can help you look at the bigger picture. Going through the stress only means a new home, a new area and new friends are edging ever closer.
Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the main reasons why people feel stressed around that all-important moving day, before we work out how to deal with the stress once and for all.
Financial pressure
While money can be funny in a rich man’s world, for your average Joe it’s no laughing matter - especially around moving day. Payment is required for pretty much everything, and without proper planning, you might see the costs piling up more than you anticipated. To avoid too much financial pressure, make sure you have a clear idea of the costs you can expect from the various elements of your move - from solicitors fees right down to packing materials.
Physical strain
Movers deal with significant physical strain when moving, and not just when they’re carrying that box full of books. It’s safe to say you’ll get your steps in on moving day, and you’ll be lifting, bending and stretching like nobody’s business. It might not seem like much at the time, but over a couple of days this can really tire you out and pile on more stress.
Dealing with change
Moving to a new area means things are going to change, whether that’s where you do your weekly shop or how you interact with your neighbours. As humans, change isn’t one of our favourite things, and for some in particular it can cause a lot of stress.
Worrying about children or pets
We love our children and we love our pets, but nobody’s pretending that they’re the easiest things to have around during a house move. Sorting out childcare and kennels comes at an additional cost, but forget the finances - you might also be worrying about how they will handle the move.
7 Top Tips for Dealing with Moving House Stress and Anxiety
1) Create a thorough to-do list
The best thing you can do to ensure the arrival in your new house goes smoothly is to put together a to-do list that covers absolutely everything you’ll need to tackle, from start to finish. Go bullet point by bullet point. This will keep you organised and feeling more in control; two factors that will significantly reduce your stress levels.
But your moving house list shouldn’t only include packing boxes and hiring a home moving company - no siree. Your new property needs to have everything covered, from notifying your new local council to switching utilities suppliers, and wrapping up the final bills to sorting our broadband and media subscriptions in your new home.
2) Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Seeking other people’s opinions takes time, and it can be tough to decide who’s got the best advice. But we could all use a little help. Even if it’s just having a friend or family member that you can lean on for support while you move.
It’s also a good idea to speak to those close to you who have experience with moving house themselves, as they may be able to give you some advice and recommendations as to who you can hire to help.
3) Use professional movers or removal companies
Using a professional removal company can make the transition to a new home a whole lot easier and greatly reduce moving house stress. Pro movers can reduce the physical strain we mentioned earlier, conserving what energy you have left for other important parts of the move like deciding where to hang that photo. They can also help you with disassembling (and sometimes reassembling) furniture and can give you peace of mind about avoiding damage to those prized possessions.
Removal companies take a lot of the stress out of moving house, but they do come at a cost. Make sure to do your research and ensure you are aware of exactly which services you can expect. You don’t want to end up with additional costs billed to you later down the line.
4) Start small but start early
We understand what a mammoth task a home move can feel like. There’s a lot you need to achieve, often with limited time. The first step on the path to a stress free move is to start small. Even if that means spending just 20 minutes labelling boxes each night. Take it at your own pace. Tackling simple tasks first will help you build momentum and, before you know it, you’ll be flying through everything on your moving house list.
Although it’s helpful to start small, it’s also essential that you start packing soon. Once you have your to-do list in place, you need to get going to ensure you have enough time to get everything done. Leaving things until moving day is the quickest way to invite stress and unsettled feelings into your mental health.
5) Clean your new house
It might seem like cleaning the new house is adding yet another job to the pile, but think about it - you’re going to have to clean it at some point, so why not make the most of it being empty to get into all the nooks and crannies? You’ll feel much better if you’re adding your furniture to a space that’s already clean, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about once all your boxes are empty. A big cleaning operation is a good opportunity to get the kids, and maybe even other family members and friends to pitch in and make light work of it.
6) Pack an overnight box or bag
On the day that you are physically moving to your home, there are plenty of things that can add to your stress. For example, frantically trying to find something you need and not knowing where on earth it’s packed, especially if you've decided to use a packing service. A great way to avoid this happening is to pack an overnight bag or box that has everything in it that you’ll need for the next 24 hours of moving house mayhem.
The chances are that once you’ve reached your new home, and the removals company is ferrying boxes from the truck to your shiny new front door, you’re not going to be in the mood to start unpacking straight away. So make sure you have a box or bag full of essential supplies and important documents to see you through until you start unpacking.
7) Use a Home Setup Service for a stress free move
Asking for help isn’t limited to family and friends; you can also enlist the expertise of a Home Setup Service. At Just Move In, our friendly experts are armed with professional advice that can save you time and, more importantly, take the stress out of your house move.
With our help, you can cross things like content insurance, switching energy suppliers, arranging your broadband and phone, contacting your local council, and informing your water and sewerage companies off your to-do list. Over the last few years, we’ve been helping thousands of customers with successful home moves, and have proven that having a Home Setup Service involved in your move can save you around eight hours on time-consuming moving admin, and a serious amount of worry in mental health terms.
FAQs
How can I reduce stress for children?
While the kids won’t have to deal with any of the admin, they will still feel the stress that comes with a home move. To make it easier on them, the best thing you can do is be transparent. Talk to them about what they can expect, several days or weeks in advance if you can. Try to build the excitement around the move if they are feeling anxious about it, and take them to the new area so that they can start to build some familiarity.
Another top tip is to make sure that their room is the last to pack away and the first to unpack. If you aren’t using childcare during the move process, doing this will give them a space to wind down and become more comfortable with the new place.
How can I reduce stress for pets?
Pets can get stressed during moves too. New people, new smells, lots of boxes to climb in - it can all get a little too much. Knowing how to help them through this is a little tricker as they can’t exactly express their feelings, but there are plenty of things you can try. Natural pet calming sprays and diffusers are a good place to start, and it can also help to maintain your pet’s normal routine as much as possible during and after the move.
Try to keep your pets away from the hustle and bustle of the moving process on the big day. Whether you use kennels, have your friend take them out on a long walk or just keep them occupied in one quiet room, making sure they aren’t witnessing the potential chaos is definitely a good idea.
What should I avoid when moving house?
Knowing what to avoid when moving house can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time. Here are a few things we’d suggest:
Avoid leaving your packing till the last minute. Start as soon as you can.
Avoid trying to do everything yourself - there’s no shame in asking for help.
Avoid forgetting about your utilities. It might be boring, but it has to be done. A house move specialist can support you there.
Avoid packing EVERYTHING. Make sure you spend time on a declutter operation before you pack up all the random junk you aren’t going to need.
How can I cope with stress and anxiety during my move?
Coping with stress and anxiety during a house move isn’t easy, but it can be done with proper planning and support from a moving specialist. Take on board the above tips and get in touch with our experts today to find out more about our service.
How Can Just Move In Help Make My Move Less Stressful?
Wouldn’t it be great to know there’s someone handling the details and finding the best deals for you while you’re in the process of moving? Our Move In Specialists have quite literally been around the block, and they know exactly how to save you from the stress of moving house.
If you’re interested in having our team assist you with the not-so-fun parts of moving house, and make your transition into your new home as stress free as possible, you can find out more on our website and book an appointment.