In a previous post, we explored the first two ways to make an impending move as smooth and stress-less as possible. If we have the opportunity to plan our organizing/wrapping/packing over several days (or weeks), and if we throw away or donate the items for which we no longer have any logical use, we are well on our way to maintaining a low stress level when the big day arrives. Man and Van Simply–removals services in Manchester–will show up at your doorstep and you will be calm, cool, and collected. Here are a few tips to keep you feeling at your Zen best in the midst of moving mayhem.

Don’t Do This Alone

Moving should come with a bright orange warning sticker that reads: “DON’T MOVE ALONE!” Even if you’re a singleton moving from one flat to another, there’s no reason to go it solo. Ask your friends and family members to help you. Make sure to ask a lot of them because most people will say no (see, nobody likes to move, even if it’s just helping out a friend). But offer some reward to everyone you ask. You’ll buy them all a fancy dinner afterward. You’ll give them all gift cards. Or, my personal favorite, you’ll provide beer and wine for the festivities. You’ll be amazed at how successful that last one is in recruiting your friends to help.

Take Care of Yourself: Be Mindful, Eat Well, Sleep Long

Your wellbeing is of vital importance as you move from one place to another. You need to be feeling energized, focused, and at your best. It’s inevitable that at some point, no matter how well-coordinated the move effort, you will feel a bit frazzled or a little uprooted. This is entirely normal, but here a few easy, straightforward ways to deal with these feelings:

• Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Be mindful of the present moment and only the present moment. If your mind jumps toward future scenarios, gently guide it back to the Now. The same goes for past scenarios. Stay in this meditative place for as long as is comfortable for you, ideally five or ten minutes. The lift, focus, and serenity this small act can offer is astonishing.
• Always eat breakfast. Always. But especially when you’re moving. It will give you fuel for the day, but don’t ignore lunch and dinner. Eat something light if you’re not feeling hungry. Moving is taxing physically and emotionally and your cells need the juice. You’ll feel better, trust me.
• Make time to sleep. It’s easy, in the days immediately before, during, and immediately after a move to be so wound up that we don’t get a lot of time to sleep. But it’s important. Actually, it’s imperative. When you are making out your packing schedule, write in your bedtimes each night, and as the move date gets closer, schedule yourself an hour or two longer on those nights. Your body and mind will thank you.

Ride the Wave

During the move, things are going to pop up that you don’t expect. There might be a traffic jam, or you might run out of packing tape at the last minute, or the former residents of your new home may have left behind some unwanted possessions. Just go with the flow as much as you can in instances like these. They will work themselves out. If you’re reaching a stressful point and just don’t know what to do, pick up the phone, call a friend,