Here are Some Moving Tips for Those Over 50

Some things in life are never bad. Examples include sunsets, ice cream, and a smile from someone you like. Then again, some things in life are never good, including root canals, paying taxes, and walking barefoot on a cold floor. Moving falls somewhere in between these two extremes. On one hand, it offers chances for downsizing into more manageable surroundings. On the other hand, it can cause more than its fair share of aggravation. Here are some tips to help you through the rough patches while keeping you healthy.

Take Your Time

Even the hardest chores are easier when you break them into small chunks. So get an early start on packing your possessions. Two months before the big day is a good time to begin soliciting bids from moving companies, sorting through your belongings, and deciding where you will situate your furnishings in your new home. Consider renting a portable storage container, also known as a “pod,” in which you can place your items as you pack them. This can save you the stress of loading a huge truck in a hurry on moving day.

Downsize the Smart Way

Downsizing can spare you a lot of needless worry while helping you to get more use out of the items you keep. But downsizing the right way means having a strategy and sticking with it. Here are some tips to remember:

• Give each item you own a cold, hard assessment. If it serves no purpose, then get rid of it. Throwing away items like electronics, paint, motor oil, and cleaning chemicals may require following special guidelines. You can find this information by going to your community’s web site or calling city hall.

• Make downsizing decisions with your head first, your heart second. Everything you own probably has some kind of personal meaning to you or a family member. But that doesn’t mean you should hang on to it. There are many ways to let go of items in a sensitive yet sensible way.

• Separate things you plan to keep from those you intend to let go of while it’s still early in the moving process. This will help you to avoid agonizing over hard decisions.

Lift With Care

Spinal problems can afflict people of any age. So don’t feel bad if your back stiffens up while you’re moving. Here are some tips for safe lifting:

1. Keep your back straight and lift with your legs.

2. Spread your feet apart to maintain a strong base of support.

3. Keep the load as close to your body as possible.

4. Set the item down by bending your legs and hips, not your back.

Consider Hiring Professionals

Sometimes it’s better to let others shoulder the load. Here are a few sound reasons to hire a professional mover:

• Movers have no emotional attachment to the items in your home. Their job is to transport your belongings, not to fall in love with them. Letting them do the work can spare you from physical and emotional toil while helping them to earn a honest living.

• Movers are, more often than not, strong, stout, and accustomed to hard work. You need not feel bad about letting them do things that could injure you.

• Using a moving company can set your loved ones at ease, saving you from endless appeals by your kids to “take it easy.”

• Using a mover will relieve both your mind and your body, freeing you to focus on more important matters.

As we said in the beginning, moving is both an adventure and an aggravation. Following the tips in this post can minimize the hassles and help you to make the most of the experience. So embrace the changes and get ready for a fulfilling future.