UAE | General
Moving? Wipe out stress with a plan
Does the thought of moving home give you a migraine attack? Stress can do that. Gulf News business reports say there is a nearly 15 per cent increase in people moving homes this year within the UAE.
- By Nasheet Jaffer Khan, Community Solutions Editor
- Published: 22:44 April 25, 2009
- Image Credit:
Does the thought of moving home give you a migraine attack? Stress can do that. Gulf News business reports say there is a nearly 15 per cent increase in people moving homes this year within the UAE. The Wipe Out Waste (WoW) campaign looks at how to achieve this change of residence in an efficient, planned and stress-free manner. Save time and money — enjoy your new home.
Moving residence, irrespective of whether it is a few floors up or down or across the country can be a harrowing experience.
For most, packing and unpacking is as stressful as finding the perfect home and being able to afford it.
It often leads to a waste of money, time and emotions, as people try to cope with the process.
A small delay, like forgetting to get enough three-pin plugs, could lead to a domino effect on other jobs around the new home such as drilling, fixing shelves or wall brackets.
As the minutes pile on, the stress levels climb — you have only so much time from the office but the end seems to be nowhere in sight. You try and get additional help to meet the deadline, which means paying more than originally planned. What was meant to be a peaceful transition becomes a battle scene.
According to a US study, 43 per cent of all adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress.
75 to 90 per cent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints or disorders.
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Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis and suicide.
According to the International Headache Society, the most common trigger for migraine headaches is stress. Interestingly, the attacks may occur after the stress, for example an extended migraine that afflicts the sufferer when a stressful house moving is over!
This week's Wow campaign provides tips culled from international websites such as compare-international-movers.com and housemovetips.com on choosing the right movers or relocaters, how best to pack, and the things to do before moving into your new home.
THE LIST: TYING UP LOOSE ENDS
Discuss and plan with your family or movers how much you intend to spend. To ensure all correspondence reaches you, notify the following of your change of address:
- Banks, insurance companies, financial institutions
- Employer
- Telephone and internet connections providers
- Newspaper delivery agent
- Family and friends
- Schools
- Post office
- Vet
- Business partners
- Blood donors, doctors, dentists
- Gyms and recreation clubs
Prior permission
If you intend to get carpentry or painting work done at the new house, gather permissions required.
Clean and clear
Ensure the new house is clean – arrange for pest control and cleaning services.
Mapped out
Conceptualise where you intend to place furniture in your new home. Draw maps. Ready a list of all things that need repair in your old and new home. Clear fixture lists with respective landlords. Ask for contacts of handymen for repair work in new home.
Know all
Familiarise yourself with the new locality – hospitals, cashpoint machines, police station, supermarkets, recycling centres. Save time, research online.
Give back
Books from the local library, goods, money or cutlery from your neighbours – return everything on loan.
Frozen in track
Avoid buying frozen food, consume existing goods. Defrost the fridge a day or two before moving.
Pet logic
Ensure your pets are comfortable – arrange for necessary travel needs including toys. Send your pet's records to the new vet.
Keep them busy
Prepare and involve children in the moving process - pack games to keep them busy.
Safe
Insure or safeguard all valuables. A first aid box must be accessible.
Unwind
Make at least one room ready in advance by fixing curtains, setting up a bed – you'll need a place to rest at the end of the move.
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