Moving home is supposed to be an exciting event, but many of us find it incredibly stressful. In one poll by Yopa, 40% of homeowners said moving home made them feel sick and ill – with some even ranking it above having a new baby or getting divorced!

Why is moving home so stressful? And is there a way to prevent this stress? This post looks at 5 of the main causes and how to avoid falling victim to them so that you can enjoy the process of moving. 

Not budgeting enough for the move

There are many costs to consider when moving. This is particularly the case when buying a home, and even more so when selling a home – there could be the down payment, conveyancer fees, home inspection fees and agency fees to consider. Fail to budget enough, and you could run out of money, which could affect your ability to be approved for a mortgage if your application is still being processed. In other cases, you may find that you have little to no money left for the move itself. 

It’s important to budget everything ahead to avoid this. Outline all the costs and work out exactly how much you need. This includes collecting moving company quotes in advance from sites like iMOVE. Take the time to shop around for the best deals, so you don’t have to save up quite as much.

Leaving packing to the last minute

A big cause of moving stress is last minute packing. You don’t want to be up all night madly packing things into boxes the day before you have to move. It’s much better to start packing early – ideally weeks in advance.

Packing stuff up early allows you to thoroughly sift through it, giving you time to sell/donate/scrap anything you don’t want to bring with you, and allowing you to neatly organize all your belongings so that finding them when you unpack is easier. Start by sorting out neglected clutter zones, such as the attic and shed. Take the time to sort through clothes and kids toys. Leave only the essentials for the night before. 

Failing to hire professional help

Unless you’ve only got a handful of possessions to take with you, you should be cautious of trying to handle the entire move yourself. Moving your stuff back and forth to your new home is a huge task. You may struggle with awkward and heavy furniture, and there could be a risk that certain items get broken if not packed and handled properly.

Hiring a moving company is always the safest option. At the very least, you should consider asking some friends or family members to lend a helping hand. 

Juggling pets and kids

Having to coordinate moving day while looking after pets and kids can als be stressful. You could find that your pets and kids constantly get under your feet, and it may even be hazardous for them. 

To prevent any stress or accidents, ask a friend or family member to look after your kids or pets on moving day. This will allow you to focus on the move, rather than worry about them.

Not allowing time to settle and unpack

It can be stressful to attend an important event or go straight to work the day after moving day. This could be particularly the case if you’re moving out of town, as you won’t have given yourself time to adjust. 

Allow yourself a few days to settle into your new home and unpack. You can then begin the new chapter of your life feeling more at peace.