There is a reason moving ranks at the top of the most stressful days in your life.  It is tiring, strenuous, and mentally and physically exhausting.  For many just the thought of moving is enough to make their stomach churn.  While it is impossible to eliminate all of your moving day stress, there are certainly plenty of things you can do to keep much of your stress at bay on moving day.  Here are a few tips and tricks for reducing your moving day stress.

1. Plan Ahead

   Moving requires a great deal of work and the more prepared you are the less stressful the experience will be.  While there are no guarantees that things will go exactly as planned, problems are less likely to occur when you are well organized.  Start planning about a month in advance for your move.  Start by purging your house and getting rid of unwanted items.  Next, gather packing supplies and begin packing rooms one at a time.  Hire a mover well in advance to ensure their availability.  Make a timeline of what needs to be done and when and check each item off as you complete it. 

2. Make a List

   There is no shortage of things that need to be done when you are moving and stress can make it difficult to remember everything.  Avoid this unnecessary stress by creating a checklist.  Write down every detail of the move and cross it off as you go.  Not only will this give you a sense of accomplishment as you progress, but you won’t have to worry about forgetting something important.

3. Hire Movers

   Sure, everyone loves the idea of saving a little money but hiring movers will save you a tremendous amount of stress, which can be just as valuable.  Professional movers do this every day, so they will be much more efficient at navigating that large couch through a narrow doorway.  Not only will movers save you a great deal of time, but they will save you the physical exhaustion as well. 

4. Pack Properly

   No one likes the idea of packing, but you can actually make it more enjoyable if you plan ahead.  Don’t wait until the last minute to start this process or you are sure to spend several sleepless nights agonizing over this chore.  You can also make it fun by inviting family and friends over for a packing party.  Provide food and drinks in exchange for their help.  Finally, take the time to do it right.  Don’t pack your boxes too heavy and make sure you wrap any fragile items.

5. Get a Sitter

   Moving is stressful enough without adding kids to the mix.  Don’t try to tell yourself that you can just “work around them” or “they will think it’s fun.” Nothing is fun about watching mom and dad run around like chickens with their heads cut off.  Instead, hire a sitter or get a family member to watch the children so you can focus on the task at hand.  It will make for a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

6. Celebrate

   You have completed the move and all of your hard work has finally paid off.  Take some of the stress off by celebrating! Order some takeout and have a picnic on the floor in your new home.  Grab some dessert and champagne and toast to your new adventure! Those boxes can wait to be unpacked, so take some time for yourself and celebrate your accomplishment!