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Tuesday
Oct122010

Five ways to speed up your packing

These packing tips will help you speed up the process immenselyIf there’s one aspect of the moving process you could speed up it’s most likely packing, particularly if you have a big house. From organising and planning to physically putting your possessions into boxes, packing is a significant task that should not be underestimated. However, like many things in life, you can use a few quick and simple tips to speed it up significantly. And when you’ve got more time available, you’ll be less stressed, less rushed and more able to leave your house with a smile when your removals company show up to transport you to your new life.

Here are five handy tips to get your packing going at lightning speed:

Ask friends for help
Many hands really do make light work – this has never been truer than of packing before a house move. Tackling the packing of an entire property by yourself, from small 1 bedroom flats through to four bedroom family homes, is a tough and daunting task that can quickly stress you out. With a helping hand – and indeed a friendly face – packing can become far more fun and enjoyable. Whether you need help with heavy lifting, organisation or just someone to share a cup of tea with, asking your friends to come round is a great idea every time. Don’t forget to say thank you with plenty of chocolate biscuits!

Plan in advance
One area where many homeowners fall down is planning – packing is a mammoth task and planning is essential if you’re looking for a stress-free time. Planning encompasses many different tenets, from deciding how you’re going to label boxes (colours or just room names?) through to developing a system that ensures you don’t leave any possessions behind. Take as much time as you need to plan effectively – having confidence in your system will work wonders as you get further down the line. If you need some help, a great idea is to ask friends who have recently completed moves.

Take regular breaks
The human mind can’t concentrate on a particular task for more than a few hours. After this, fatigue quickly sets in and it becomes harder to perform. Take regular breaks when you pack to prevent becoming overwhelmed. This is why it’s important to start packing as early as possible so you can take regular breaks without getting behind. And regular breaks don’t only mean a quick cuppa in front of the TV – you should get outside, see friends and generally separate yourself from the stresses of packing. That way you can get back to it refreshed, revitalised and ready to start again.

Exercise and eat well
Whenever you dedicate yourself to a singular task for many weeks on end, it can be easy to stop taking care of yourself in the rush to get stuff done. But this can quickly take its toll on your ability to work effectively and should be avoided. Ensure you get regular exercise – even if it’s just a quick walk around your home town. Exercise is a great de-stressor and helps keep you focused and alert during packing. Eating well can also stave off illness and ensure you always have the energy needed to get stuck in – plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and complex carbohydrates should be the mainstay of your diet.

Use specialist packing supplies
Many homeowners use leftover cardboard boxes for their packing but this can slow down the process as you need to reinforce them with plenty of masking tape, in addition to the actual time spent collecting enough boxes to comfortably accommodate your possessions. An easier solution is to buy specialist packing supplies – strong boxes with masking tape and felt tips pens for marking your boxes. These can be purchased as a pack, both new and second hand, allowing you to get stuck into your packing quickly. Once you’re done with your boxes, sell them on and recoup some of your expenses.

Take a look at even more packing tips if you want to speed up the process even more!

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