Moving is kind of a big deal. How big? Well it can be measured not only in kilos or dollars, but in “stress numbers.” These numbers indicate the potential health effects of moving and other life events.
Maybe you’ve heard or read about about the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. The scale assigns events in the past year of an individual’s life with a number: a “Life Change Unit.” The numbers assigned to events such as death, divorce and separation are added to arrive at a final score. This score provides an indication how much of an impact these events are likely to have on your physical health. The events just mentioned–
death, divorce and separation– are (no surprise) the “big three.”
Here are the numbers associated with each:
Death of a spouse 100
Divorce 73
Marital separation 65
A change in residence gets assigned a relatively modest “20” on the scale.
But keep in mind a move is often associated with even larger stress factors, like the “big three.” It’s definitely more stressful when a major life event
precipitates a move. And further, given the life-changing events follow a move, there can be a huge measurable impact overall.
Your move will likely involve a change in at least one or two of the following: schools (20 units), recreation (19), church activities (19), or social activities (18). Add these with your moving score and you’ve racked up a 96 points– which has yet to be combined with a host of other events like marriage, a new mortgage or a baby. Yes, even happy events, when there are a lot of them, can add up to a serious risk of physical illness.
The scoreboard. (A high score isn’t something you want to shoot for.)
Score of 300 or more: At risk of illness.
Score of 150-299: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).
Score less than 150: Only a slight risk of illness.
We’re sure you don’t want a move that’s “off the scale” when it comes to stress. That’s why at Kary Movers we do everything possible to lessen your stress level as much as possible. We’re courteous and careful, with
clean-cut employees (with excellent moving experience) who will take good care of you and your belongings. And for extra, peace of mind, freight insurance is included at no extra charge.
What we’re saying here is “Keep Calm and Let Kary Carry On” with moving your stuff. With a little planning on your part, you can keep the stress of a move a lot more manageable. There’s a lot of help right at your fingertips– including other blogs on this website for more practical tips on both preparing for your move and settling in after your move.
Speaking of websites, local websites will help you get a feel for the community before and after the move. The more time you allow for some local research before your move, the better. Google is your research friend–
allowing you to hone in on your neighbourhood virtually with Google maps. We personally find the street views a lot of fun to use.
The online virtual tour Google provides makes it feel like you’re driving or walking through the actual neighbourhood. Find out early on where the nearest grocery store, hardware store and coffee shops are– not just online, but by going there. Pick up some local papers and magazines while you’re there. Pay a visit to your local library and museum. Make it real.
Get out there and introduce yourself to your new neighbors and other residents in the community. If you have younger children, take them to the neighborhood park where they can meet new friends. It’s a bonus if you
can do this before your move– making the transition smoother and less frightening. Moving is an adventure– but it shouldn’t be a scary one.
A smooth move goes a long way to providing overall peace of mind. And peace of mind, as the experts say, means better physical health, too. The numbers prove it. At Kary Movers, we don’t pretend to be health experts but we like to think that when we do our job right, it makes for a positive moving experience. It can also make a positive impact on your health and well-being.
Here’s a number that can keep your stress numbers low: 1-877-687-1746. Give us a call or email us at info@karymovers.com. You may also request a moving quote on this site. We’d love to put our expertise into making your upcoming move as stress-free as possible.