Moving is one of the more stressful events in an individual's life. In a study performed by the University of Birmingham and Department of Occupational Medicine, it was determined that Moving Homes is the 32nd most stressful event in a person's life. Top items were "death of a spouse, jail sentence and an immediate family member committing suicide. Ok, moving is less stressful than these
When making a cross-country move, or relocating, there are some guidelines to make it a bit less stressful. Having moved myself (and family) many times either in the military cross-country or internationally, there are some tips I've learned.
Be Organized — Get a spiral notebook and a folder. During the move you want all notes and to dos in an easy location. If you need phone numbers ata glance they should be in the laptop whether it be movers, utility companies or future or former employers.
Plan Ahead-In our notebooks, lay out tasks segmented by leaving home, the move and future home. As you go through your daily life, 5 weeks before the move, write down everything you think of. The more tasks/items are written down, the less they need to be stressed about.
Leaving Home items including disconnecting utilities and leaving forwarding addresses for deposits, notifying neighbors and friends of new addresses/emails, forwarding mail at the post office and at final home cleanup, appropriate paperwork and packing personal items. Other items include notifying teachers or daycare providers and contacting your church.
Move items includes having enough food for anypets, having traveling cash and hotels (assuming you driving anywhere substantially). This is actually the easiest part. Future Home tasks including lining up housing, utilities, car insurance, car tags, finding the grocery stores and new churches.
I cannot stress enough how being organized and writing everything down can minimize your stress level.
Sense of humor-Another big suggestion is to have a sense of humor. Something is bound to go wrong or be forgotten. No matter how much you've planned ahead and wrote down your lists, one key thing could be forgotten. My guidance is to put it in perspective. If married, do not add extra stress by blowing these items out of proportion. From my military background-overcome, maintain, adapt.
Keep the family fed-Our last movewas across town and it went very smoothly, albeit we were exhausted. My wife swears to that one key was to keep me fed. She claims that by having a plan for dinner, although it may be fast food, kept stress down. After everyone has worked like a dog packing and unpacking, it calms nerves and patience to have food handy once those hunger pangs strike. On the same note, and keeping a beverage (water or lemonade) handy alleviates the temptation for tempers to flare when you've been pushed to the limits.
Patience-If you ever move with children, realize that a move is incredibly exciting. They are bound to be more wound up than normal. A move is an exciting adventure for them. Have patience if they are chatty when you are exhausted. What has come in handy for us is a Portable DVD player.Pack a few new movies that the child will be fascinated with. Ok, do I advocate having TV be a babysitter? No. However in the case of a stressful move, investing in Finding Nemo or Benji may be worth it. Bring a pillow and favorite blanket and while you are trying to unpack let your children rest on their pillows and out in quiet areas.
Having moved many times, the ideas above are key-sense of humor, patience and organization rank among the top suggestions that I can convey to anyone making a substantial move. Good luck!!!
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