1. Start Early
One of the reasons that many people find themselves putting in long days and losing sleep during a move is because they’re trying to do too much in a short period of time. Starting early can help you space out the work, which puts less pressure on your body. Start packing the day that you decide to move, even if the date is still a year away.
2. Stay Hydrated
You should consume 30 to 50 ounces of fluid per day, and you probably need more if you’re packing to move. There are lots of ways that you can stay hydrated while moving. Start by drinking water. You can also stay hydrated by eating water-rich foods, like watermelon, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.
3. Eat Healthy Snacks
People who move often eat a lot of takeout because they lose the ability to cook as they pack up their dishes. Often, takeout is greasy and unhealthy. However, you need to keep consuming healthy foods throughout this time. You can do this by keeping healthy snacks on hand.
Fresh and dried fruits are an excellent choice, as are granola bars. Some granola bars are made with puffed rice in place of oatmeal, so look for granola bars that actually contain real pieces of fruit and real granola.
You may also be able to keep your meals healthy by signing up for a meal delivery service. If you live in an urban area, this is an excellent way to get the taste of home-cooked foods without actually cooking on your own.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Many people continue to go to work during the day even as they pack in the evenings. This can lead to some late nights and cause sleep deprivation.
Most healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system and reduce your ability to function mentally.
You may not be able to sleep a full 8 hours every night during your move, but keep the nights when you don’t get enough sleep to a minimum. Take cat naps during the day to catch up on sleep as needed.
Working in teams makes it easier to pack up all of your things without losing a lot of sleep. If you have a household full of people, work with them to get your boxes packed. If you’re moving alone, get help from friends over the weekends.
5. Warm Up Before Moving and Packing Boxes
Packing boxes can be hard on your body. Stretch your muscles before hauling and packing up boxes. Warming up before engaging in physical activity can help prevent your muscles from getting sore.
6. Treat Sore Muscles
If you do get sore muscles, ice and heat can help. Immediately after moving and packing boxes, ice your muscles to keep down inflammation. If your muscles are still stiff or sore later, use a heating pad to soothe your body and reduce your feelings of pain.
7. Manage Stress
Stress can take its toll on the body, just like hard work. Some ways of managing stress are healthier than others. Meditation, exercising, and quietly reading books are all healthy ways that people can manage their stress during a move. Take time out every day to do at least one thing that helps reduce your stress.
8. Know Which Boxes Not to Pick Up
Some boxes just aren’t safe to lift, especially if you have a bad back or aren’t used to heavy lifting. Make sure that you know which boxes you can lift and which boxes you can’t. To keep the weight down, avoid packing heavy things into boxes. If you must pack a very heavy box, leave it to the movers to lift when they come.
9. Reduce Hazards
Tall stacks of boxes can be dangerous. If a stack falls, you or someone else from your household can get hurt badly. Keep your stacks of boxes to a manageable height. If you have a room full of boxes, keep a clear path from one side of the room to the other, and don’t allow anything to lay in the path that could become a tripping hazard.
10. Work With a Professional Moving Company
The best way to stay healthy during a move is to work with a professional moving company. Working with a professional moving company takes some of the stress out of the moving process while also reducing physical burdens of moving boxes on moving day. For more information about how you can stay healthy during the moving process, contact Bekins. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.
