You might think that moving and stress go hand in hand. Moving is often a big ordeal, but you can take steps to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.  With some good planning and backup solutions, you can ease your way into your move.

Even if you’re planning a big move with a large family, you can make it work just as long as you refuse to dwell on the setbacks along the way.

Try these strategies to stay stress-free while you move:

  1. Give yourself enough time. Plan your move well in advance. A gradual change is usually better than waiting until the last minute. This eases the pressure of the time crunch and provides you with a buffer in case things don’t go according to plan. Instead of stressing out, you can use the extra time to come up with a Plan B.
  1. Properly prepare children and family members. Moving can be traumatic on children unless you properly prepare them for what lies ahead. Include your children in the decision-making process. Explain to them where you’ll be moving and tell them what will change and what will stay the same.
    • Remind them that they can still maintain their friendships, even if you’re moving far away. In this day and age, with Facebook, video chat, and more, keeping up with old friends is easy.
  1. Have a checklist in place. A checklist will help you remember every task that needs to get done. It’s easy to let something important slide while moving, because you’ll be juggling so much at once. A checklist will serve as your memory, easing your stress level because you know that nothing will be forgotten.
  1. Call everyone involved right before the move takes place. When the moving date arrives, it’s best to check in with everyone that will be involved. It’ll provide you with peace of mind and it may remind someone else who may have forgotten. Call family and friends that might be helping and confirm the dates and times with the moving companies or storage unit facilities.
  1. Pack everything properly. Protect yourself from the added stress of discovering that something important of yours broke during the moving process. Ensure you have plenty of time to handle breakables and valuables with care.
  1. Take breaks when required. If you’re constantly running around to complete all of your tasks, you’ll wear yourself out and increase your stress. Schedule enough time for breaks. Breaks renew your physical and mental energy, making every task run more efficiently.
  1. Keep a positive attitude. Moving can cause feelings of anxiety and worry if you allow the process to overwhelm you. Focus on one task at a time, and on solutions instead of problems. When you do, you’ll continue to experience positive momentum that will move you forward toward the finish line.

Remember that there are certain things you can count on, like your family. Moving stress occurs because your life is changing dramatically. Keep moving forward and think about all the new opportunities and blessings that await you at your new home!