By Orlando Lynch, President of Atlanta Peach Movers

Moving during the fall season, including the holidays, means additional stress during an already hectic time of the year. It can be physically and emotionally draining. Experiencing an array of events simultaneously, including moving, will take significant preparation and organization. Maintaining a routine may be difficult but is necessary, especially if you have children. They will be excited about the upcoming season and nervous about moving. You may be wondering where to start or how to go about the process. The following tips will help you plan a successful move.

1. Plan to Move on a Weekday

Weekends are hectic year-round, as these are the days most people run their errands, have days off work or school and go out looking for entertainment. Add to this the madness of fall events and holiday shopping and you have an extra-long moving day on your hands. No matter where you are moving, if you plan to move on a weekday, you will save yourself a headache, at least by avoiding heavy traffic.

2. Hire a Moving Company

Family obligations, parties, shopping and more already make the season demanding. Add to this the stress of moving, and you may be burned out by the end of the process. High levels of stress cause your immune system to malfunction, making you more susceptible to illness. Stress takes a mental toll on you, too. Hiring a trustworthy and professional moving service can ensure your stress levels don’t elevate more than they usually do this time of the year. Sometimes the little things that a moving company can do for you will help you cope with the move better. Many companies will pack and store your belongings for you. Remember to schedule your move several weeks to months in advance, too. Dates may conflict with holiday celebrations and, depending on the climate, may be impacted by inclement weather.

3. Gather Boxes, Tape and Markers

This may seem like an easy task but can often be either challenging or expensive. If you plan to do any of the packing yourself, and most people have sentimental or valuable items they want to pack, you will need packing supplies. There are likely places in your area where you can buy boxes, packing material and tape. The moving company can also sell you packing materials. If you want to save some money, ask your friends and family for any leftover packing tape from a recent move. Go to local restaurants, box stores, grocery stores and liquor stores and ask if they have boxes to spare.

4. Start Packing Early

Start packing anything you don’t regularly use now. Designate a room in the house to store all of your materials and packed boxes. Take your time and don’t forget to label the boxes you pack yourself. The key here is to not procrastinate. Start packing away those handmade items or those childhood mementos you couldn’t bear to have something happen to.

5. Pack a “Now” Box

As if you are packing for a two-week vacation, pack a suitcase. Those who move often have one trick they use to make a move go smoother: they pack a suitcase early. This way, they don’t pack away something they need by mistake and, since it will probably be buried in one of the boxes in the moving truck, they won’t have to spend money buying something they already own.

6. Don’t Unpack Too Fast

Once you arrive in your new home, try not to be in too much of a rush to unpack everything. Do what you can to make your house feel like a home but don’t overdo yourself. You can live out of your suitcase for a couple of weeks at least. Stick to your usual routine, if possible, and enjoy the fall season festivities.

For more information, visit Atlanta Peach Movers, official movers for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks, at atlpeachmovers.com.