From the minute you start packing, moving requires a great deal of time and physical energy. Relocating involves a lot of bending, lifting, and carrying heavy boxes. Taking your time and not overexerting your body on moving day will prevent injuries.
You’ll probably experience mild pain like sore or stiff muscles after you move. You should do your best to minimize the impact on your body because you’ll still have work to do. After you relocate, you need to unpack and set up your new home. Getting injured on moving day can be extremely scary, causing delays and bodily harm.
Accidents happen all the time and are even more likely when moving if you don’t take the proper precautions. Read more to learn some tips on how to prevent injuries on moving day.
Make Sure Your Body Is Ready
As soon as you know when you’re moving, you can start preparing yourself physically. If you don’t have a regular fitness regimen, you still have time to get in shape. Start exercising weeks before moving day to condition and strengthen your body.
Most people think that arms are the most important part of anatomy when lifting. However, the core or center of your body is pivotal. Set up exercise routines like sit-ups and planks to tone muscles. You can also take short walks to increase your heart rate and get your body ready.
On the day of your move, stretch in the morning to warm up your body and prepare your muscles. You’ll be participating in grueling physical activities with a lot of heavy lifting. Stretching also gets you mentally ready and prevents injuries on moving day.
Another crucial tip is to hydrate your body and eat a well-balanced meal before moving. Drinking enough water is the best way to hydrate your body. Hydrating keeps you focused and physically active. Eating foods high in protein protects and repairs muscles simultaneously.
Eggs, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and avocado toast are great options for breakfast. On the day of the move, eat a healthy lunch and dinner to keep you going.
Stick to Light Objects
It’s completely natural to want to get the move done as quickly as possible, but trying to be a hotshot by lifting the heaviest items first can result in serious injuries. You can cause short-term or even long-term harm by overexerting yourself.
Know what your body can handle and stick to loading light objects at a steady pace. Your physical state will determine how much you can lift throughout the day as you move. Listen to what your body is telling you, and don’t push it. If you start getting sore, take a break.
It’s recommended to lift no more than 40 pounds. If you have back issues or bad knees, don’t lift anything heavier than 30–35 pounds. Along with boxes, you’ll also have to move heavy furniture.
Try to break large objects into lighter loads by disassembling what you can. Place all the hardware in a bag and secure it to the furniture with zip ties or tape. This clever moving tip saves space and heavy lifting.
Avoid Last-Minute Moves
A last-minute move will make you more inclined to take shortcuts because you didn’t plan ahead. When you rush, you become careless, which increases the likelihood of injuries occurring. As you move, you’ll most likely lift with poor technique and lose focus on working safely. You’ll skip needed breaks and won’t properly prepare your body when you rush through things.
According to Plano movers, Avoiding a last-minute move prevents you from pushing your limits and overextending yourself. When you have a good plan in place, you’ll have ample time to pack and get ready for the move.
Start planning for moving day at least three to six months in advance to avoid injuries and stress. Being well-prepared saves time and frustration. Your belongings and body will be protected when you don’t rush through a move.
Use the Right Moving Equipment
Moving equipment is meant to make your move faster and safer. Just be mindful of weather conditions, because rain or snow can pose risks. Wearing the right footwear and clothes also helps you when using moving equipment.
Use dollies, furniture sliders, moving bins, or boxes to help with lifting and moving. These essential pieces of equipment lighten the weight of heavy objects and make moving oversized items easier so you can prevent injuries.
You can get supplies from home improvement or hardware stores. You can also rent equipment from moving companies or retailers. The money you pay on supplies is an investment that helps prevent bodily harm.
Ask Family and Friends To Help
Trying to move alone will put unnecessary strain on your body. Another tip is to ask friends and family to help you relocate. Having help makes the moving process more enjoyable, and time goes by faster.
Moving is challenging in itself — especially so without any assistance. When you’re tired from working alone, you’ll be pressed for time and rush. Moving solo makes you more likely to be negligent, which will lead to injury.
Ask friends and family to help you move so you don’t burn yourself out. If people are hesitant to assist, make it worth their while. You can offer incentives like lunch or dinner on the day of the move. Even giving them a few bucks might persuade them to pitch in and help.
It takes about four professional movers to pack an average-sized home in one day. So, when it comes to asking friends and family for help, aim for six to eight helpers. Moving alone is near impossible, and you can avoid injuries by getting some assistance.
Clear a Path
On moving day, an important tip is to create a safe environment to minimize risks. When you’re carrying large and heavy objects, you’re less likely to be able to see where you are stepping. You want to clear a path to move freely and avoid injuries from an obstructed view.
Trying to avoid obstacles when moving heavy objects can cause you to lose balance. Not only do you risk hurting yourself, but you can damage the items you’re carrying. One trip or fall can cause injury, so you should make a clear path.
Before you start moving, tidy up the house to the best of your ability, making sure the floor is clear. Eliminate tripping hazards and wear slip-resistant shoes to prevent injuries.
If you have kids or pets, arrange for them to be out of harm’s way. Send young children with relatives and keep animals in their crates to keep everyone safe. If your kids are at an age that allows them to sit still, they can stay in a cleared-out room. For pets that feel anxious being crated, make other arrangements for them.
Barking dogs or noisy children can distract you as you move and cause an injury. Even slight disruptions can compound your stress and reduce your productivity. Moving is an emotional journey and frustration can easily mount, making you more prone to risks, so eliminate as many distractions as possible.
Hire a Professional Moving Company
A successful move requires proper planning — and that includes planning to avoid injuries. Preparing your body and taking your time prevents physical and mental strain. Use the right moving equipment and get friends and family to help. Reducing risks and distractions will make you more efficient and safer.
The most effective way to avoid injuries is to remove yourself altogether and hire a moving company. You can save time and energy by letting professionals do the heavy lifting and loading. A moving company can easily handle the physical labor that may be too much for your body. Even though professionals are highly trained and skilled, injuries can happen to anyone. When researching different companies, make sure that they carry insurance.
A moving company can pack and move your belongings so you can focus on the other aspects of your relocation. Once in your new home, professionals unpack the truck and organize your belongings. A moving company makes relocating less stressful and doesn’t take a physical toll on you. Preventing injuries lets you settle into your new home more comfortably and quickly.
Here are the best tips for choosing a moving company so you don’t have to worry about getting hurt.
