How to Keep Your Mind and Body Healthy During a Big Move

Moving day is always stressful to some degree. For many, it may actually be one of the most stressful processes in life.

In just about any move, many variables create obstacles and setbacks to success. Moving oftentimes channels frustrations that can segue into mental strain and even physical injury.

However, when a person approaches a big move with proper planning and an ample cushion of time a move can actually be stress-free—or even enjoyable! Who would have thought?

Personally, I have a lot of experience moving within the past year. As someone who’s lived in the same city of Boise, Idaho my entire life, I felt overwhelming stress when I decided to uproot for the first time. I moved to Portland, and now I’m ready for my next move—to the Emerald City, Seattle!

I’ll be honest, my first experience moving to Portland was less than ideal. I was rushed, unprepared, and in many ways unhealthy, even unsafe at times. But not this move. This move will be much different.

This time around, I decided to make my health and wellbeing a priority. While I’m still waiting to move into my home in Seattle, the planning started quite a while ago. As a researcher, I’ve spent a great deal of time scouring the internet for success stories and helpful moving tips to ensure that this move goes smoothly for me.

I’m more than happy to share these following moving tips in hopes that they make future moves for anyone reading a breeze.

Make Safety a Top Priority

First and foremost, do everything you can to ensure that you don’t physically injure yourself during a move. Easier said than done though, right?

Aside from the obvious advice of lift with your legs not your back, there are plenty of other ways people commonly injure themselves during a move. There are also many preventative measures to take so that an injury doesn’t elongate the moving process.

It doesn’t matter if you’re moving across a city or across the country, safety for yourself and those helping with a move needs to remain priority number one. And this starts by getting help for moving day.

Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, family, or neighbors for help during a big move! There’s no shame in seeking help. That being said, be sure to balance the number of people needed for an effective move. It’s also possible to have too much help or the wrong kind of help.

For example, if moving from a small apartment, it may not be the best idea to have a dozen friends helping. As with the phenomenon of too many cooks in the kitchen, it’s possible to have people tripping over each other. Start by identifying what you need, given the space and circumstances. Then ask for assistance accordingly.

Around moving day, be sure to get plenty of rest. In fact, it’s a great idea to get even more sleep than normal. Shoot for even more than eight hours a night around moving time. And, if you’re feeling burnt out when packing or moving, listen to your body and engage in a power nap (45 minutes is ideal) if needed. Your mind and body will thank you!

Keep walkways, especially hallways clear of boxes and belongings during moving day. It’s common to spread belongings all around the place during a move, but do your best to keep things cohesive to avoid trips and falls. For the same reason, be sure to contain pets and small children to specific areas during a move, or even consider hiring a babysitter or petsitter.

Finally, be sure that you are dressed for the occasion. Avoid loose-fitting clothing, as it can get caught up on things and cause a fall or other type of injury. And remember to wear comfortable shoes or boots—never sandals or open-toed footwear.

Planning is Everything

Proper planning is the bread and butter of a safe and effective move.

Start with the obvious, such as deciding whether you’ll hire a moving company or seek help from friends and family. From there develop a uniquely tailored moving plan, create a master checklist, and identify the difficult or potentially unexpected parts of a move.   

Oftentimes, people forget to plan ahead for specifics on moving day. When scouring the web for moving guide resources, I stumbled across a page with moving guides containing advice for moving plants, fish tanks, and pets. Personally, these are three specific moving day difficulties I’ve struggled with. When I moved to Portland most of my plants died as did many of my fish, and my cat was not ready for a six hour drive.

Healthy Meals Are a Must!

It’s very common to want to eat fast food or the quickest, most convenient meals during a move. Especially when on the road, many people reach for a burger and fries instead of meals that are health-conscious and wise.

Do yourself a favor and plan healthy meals and snacks while moving. After all, it’s important to be well fueled for the mentally and physically demanding task at hand. Nonperishable foods and snacks that don’t require constant refrigeration are the best options. Supercharged superfoods are also a great way to get the most out of your meals while busy moving. Here are some meal planning ideas for moving day.

Also, it may seem obvious, but be persistent in keeping yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water while moving, especially in the summer months.

Become a Minimalist

Lastly, one of the best ways to alleviate stress around a move is to minimize your life and belongings. Start by sorting and identifying belongings that aren’t essential, and donate or sell  items accordingly.

Utilize online classifieds such as Craigslist and auction sites like eBay when trying to sell things that are weighing you down. Money generated from selling your clutter can actually help fund your move. This is a smart approach as it kills two birds with one stone.

The next time you move, remember these essential moving day tips. The gateway to a healthy and happy move lies within seeking help, keeping yourself fueled and rested, and planning an effective roadmap to a move.

While big moves usually seem daunting, they don’t have to be a stressful experience!