Can you reduce the stress of moving house? Moving house is consistently ranked amongst the most stressful things you can do in your life, along with getting married and having kids.
There are lots of reasons for this, and current trends suggest that this could be a bumper year for people moving in the UK, partly due to the lifting of restrictions and people’s changing priorities following the pandemic, but also due to availability in the market.
We aim to put the enjoyment back into the lettings experience and have lots of clients approaching us looking for new rented property. With this in mind, we thought we’d put together a short guide for how you can reduce the stress of moving house.
This might seem like a fairly basic point, but part of the process of avoiding unnecessary levels of stress is accepting that there will be at least some.
1. Accept that you can’t reduce the stress of moving house completely
Accept that you’re going to feel more on edge and stressed than normal and prepare for that, and you’re setting yourself up for success in the sense that you can avoid unnecessary levels of anxiety.
Stress is a natural response to trying or testing situations, and if you accept how you feel you’ll be in a better position to combat it.
One of the aspects of moving that many people report as highly stressful is the feeling of not having enough time, and so allowing yourself the maximum amount of time to get things done will go a long way towards combating that feeling of helplessness.
2. Time your move right
For example, if you know your tenancy agreement runs out within two months, it’s worth approaching an agent or starting to look at alternatives as soon as possible, knowing that the moving process can easily take that long.
Not feeling rushed during the entire process is a massive way to reduce the stress of moving!
Again, a simple enough point but so often poorly executed. Starting small and making lists of what needs to be done can allow you to feel much more in control of the situation.
3. Make sure you’re organised
There’s little point in taking apart your bed or larger furniture until you’ve started packing the smaller stuff and then understanding what needs doing beforehand and what needs doing on the day.
Having a set list of thing to do, organising them in the most efficient way and taking it one step at a time will most definitely reduce your stress levels.
One thing that many fail to recognise is that people like to help. With that in mind, reaching out to friends and family to ask for help with moving is a perfectly reasonable thing to do and most will be glad to get stuck in and lend a hand with the process.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Trying to do too much by yourself will ultimately and understandably lead to a very stressful experience, so when you get chance ask those around you for help if you need it.
If you can afford to, it’s worth hiring professional movers. Of course not everybody can, and that would then lead us to our previous point, however, where possible it’s desirable to use the pros, and that includes with cleaning your current property if you want a smooth process for claiming back your deposit.
5. Use the professionals
Similarly, if you can, use professional estate agents and property services. We know that our clients love the guidance and help that we provide throughout the journey, including taking details of what sort of property they’re looking for so we can guide them in the right direction.
Whilst it can definitely be stressful at times, moving house is such an extremely exciting time for so many people and we hope this guide helps to reduce some of the stress that comes with it.
If moving is something you’re considering then why not get in touch with Intus Lettings today? We have properties of all types, shapes and sizes across the UK available, take a look today and book your viewing!
