According to research, most Americans believe that moving is the most stressful life event. To make matters more complicated, people often decide to move themselves to save money, which can also end up adding to their stress level. While there’s no way to completely eliminate the hassle of moving, there are things you can do to ease the burden. Consider the following helpful ideas to make your next DIY move less stressful.

1. Create a To-Do List and Timeline

The best thing homeowners can do to avoid a hectic move is to plan ahead. Last-minute complications only make the process more stressful, so it’s important to create a detailed plan well in advance. A to-do list and timeline can help eliminate unnecessary stressors and keep your moving plan moving along smoothly. As soon as you know you are moving, create a checklist of everything you need to get done along with a deadline for each task. Having a plan and sticking to it will help you stay on schedule so you aren’t rushing around at the last minute. Here are some important tasks you won’t want to forget:

●Sell or donate unwanted items

●Stage your home

●Gather packing materials

●Set dates for packing

●Rent portable storage unit

●Update mailing address

●Transfer utilities

Of course these are just some of the recommendations for tasks that need to be completed prior to a move.

2. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

No one wants to be scrambling around the week before they move. As soon as you know you will be moving, go ahead and get started purging, organizing, and packing. Start well in advance so you have some wiggle room if something comes up and you need a few days off from packing. You also want to go ahead and reserve your portable storage unit right away so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to find availability.

3.  Tackle One Task at a Time

You will easily get overwhelmed if you try to accomplish too many things at once. Instead, tackle the little things first and you will notice that they quickly add up to bigger things. The same goes for packing. Start small and pack just one area or room at a time. If you focus on the entire move, you might feel paralyzed by the stress. The best thing you can do to combat this stress is to chunk your move into smaller, more manageable tasks.

4. Stay Organized

Organization is key if you want to make moving less stressful. While it may be tempting to simply start tossing items into boxes, you will regret this when items end up lost or damaged. From sorting and labeling boxes to keeping all of your documents and moving materials in a neat binder, staying organized throughout the process will lead to fewer headaches and will set you up for success.

5. Enlist the Help of Others

You may not want to hire a professional moving company, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help from family and friends. Host a packing party and invite friends and family over for pizza. Everyone can use a little support through this process so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. Take Time for Yourself

Moving is a long and exhausting process. Don’t forget to take breaks and make some time for yourself along the way. It may be as simple as going for a walk, taking a relaxing bath, or enjoying a nice meal between chores. You also want to make sure you are making sleep a priority. If you are well-rested and take some time to recharge, you will notice you are a lot more efficient and a lot less stressed.