How To Overcome The Stress of Moving
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Moving is not only physically exhausting, it’s also stressful. Having to literally pick up and move every individual item in your home to a new location is bound to create some anxiety and tension. While there’s no way to completely eliminate the psychological stress of moving, there are some precautions you can take to make the process a bit more relaxing and enjoyable.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately 7 in 10 Americans report physical symptoms caused by stress. Some people assume stress merely manifests itself with mental symptoms, but the APA suggests otherwise. Allowing the stress of moving to overwhelm you can trigger a wide range of unwanted symptoms, both mental and physical.
Common Symptoms of Stress:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping (which in turn results in lower energy levels and a weakened immune system)
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Muscle tension
- Loss of appetite
- Teeth grinding (known medically as bruxism)
- Dizziness
Get a Helping Hand
Don’t attempt to tackle a move by yourself. Even if you can physically move all of the boxes and furniture alone, having a second set of hands can make a world of difference. You’ll be able to move large furniture in a fraction of the time with the assistance of a friend or family member – not to mention the fact that you’ll have somebody to talk to throughout the day.
Plan Ahead
A lot of the stresses associated with moving stems from poor or nonexistent planning. For instance, failure to call ahead of time to ensure there’s a moving van available to rent could result in you and your moving buddies waiting around for hours with nothing to do.
To prevent this from happening, call the truck rental company several days before your moving day to reserve a vehicle. This will give you the peace of mind knowing that a truck will be ready for pickup on your moving day. Planning ahead also entails calling the utility companies at your new location to make sure service will be active upon your arrival.
Pamper Yourself
Pampering yourself to some rest and relaxation can ease some of the stresses of moving. Before the big day of your move, perhaps you can get a deep-tissue massage at a local spa. Having a masseuse work out the kinks in your back and neck will ease your tension, reinvigorating you with a new found sense of energy for the upcoming move.
Our team of moving professionals are here to help. We specialize in making your move as stress-free as possible and we would love to help with your next move. Get a free online moving quote today.
Read more stress-free moving tips here.
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips, Preparing To Move, Stress-Free Moving
Beat The Heat With These Summer Moving Tips
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With the official start of the summer season right around the corner (June 20th, FYI), the temperatures are only going to become hotter as we progress further into the year. The scorching-hot summer temperatures here in Austin, combined with the dry air adds another level of difficulty for individuals and families trying to relocate. If you have a move planned for the summer, you should take some additional precautions to make your relocation safer, easier and less stressful. Here are a few summer moving tips to help you out.
Start Early
If there’s one tip you take away after reading this post, it should be to start early. Dragging your feet and not starting until noon means the sun will be at its peak, beaming down on you while you attempt to move. Set your alarm early and let your moving buddies know that you’re starting at the crack of dawn.
So, what time of day should you begin moving during the summer? Generally speaking, the earlier the better, but you have to take into account visibility. 6:00-6:30 AM works well, as the sun is just beginning to rise, offering visibility without the scorching heat.
Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to overlook something as simple as hydration when you’re busy moving. With one objective on your mind – moving – you might not notice the symptoms of mild dehydration setting in. This can lead to headaches, nausea, cramps, and in severe cases, heat stroke.
Listen to your body and drink plenty of H2O while you’re moving. The summer heat will cause you to lose water through sweating, so stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Wear The Right Clothes
Another important tip for summertime moving is to wear the right clothes. This isn’t always as easy as it sounds since mornings are often chilly, especially early in the season. The best solution for staying comfortable throughout the day is to dress in layers. As the mercury rises, you can ditch some of your layers to cool off. And if you’re still busy moving later in the evening when it’s cooling off, you can add them back for warmth.
Set Up AC At Your New Location
If you haven’t done so already, call the utility companies at your new location to ensure the AC will be operational and ready for use. When you and your family finish the long, grueling move, you’ll want to cool off in your new home. Of course, this won’t be possible if the utility companies have yet to activate your service.
Hire Someone to Move You
Our team of moving professionals are here to help. We move year-round regardless of the weather and we would love to help with your next move. Get a free online moving quote today.
Read more Home Moving Tips here.
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips
Proper Lifting Techniques To Prevent Back Injury When Moving
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Lifting furniture, boxes and other heavy items the wrong way can leave you in a world of pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, far too many people take the wrong approach when lifting objects, placing themselves at risk for injury. Whether you’re moving a single box or an entire home, you should get into the habit of using the right technique to help prevent back injury.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIM), approximately 80% of Americans will develop back pain at some point in their life. A 2010 report by the Global Burden of Disease states back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Some of these cases are minor and manifest nothing more than a temporary dull ache that subsides within a couple of hours; however, others are more severe, creating excruciating pain that restricts your body’s normal range of motion and mobility.
So, what causes back pain? There are a number of activities, stresses and elements which are known to play a role in the formation of back pain. Bending your back at an arch to lift an object, for instance, stresses the soft cartilage that supports the vertebrae. Over time, this cartilage will wear down to the point where it’s no longer able to absorb the stress, resulting in painful vertebrae-against-vertebrae contact. Back pain can also be caused by pulled muscles and/or tendons.
Safe Lifting Practices:
- Spread your legs shoulder-width apart with your feet planted firmly on the floor.
- With your spine straight, bend your knees to lower your body.
- Grab the bottom of the box (or furniture) with one hand on each side.
- Maintain a straight spine and slowly extend your knees back into the standing position.
- Walk slowly and carefully to your destination, using your hips to change direction.
- Upon reaching your destination, lower your body back down by bending your knees and releasing the box.
- Rinse and repeat these steps as needed to make moving just a little bit easier!
The key thing to remember when moving is to lift with your legs, not your back. It’s only natural for humans to bend their back when lifting objects, as this is easier. But doing so will eventually take a toll on your body, wearing down the supporting cartilage between the vertebrae and placing you at risk for chronic back pain.
We would love to take the burden of moving off of your back (pun intended). Get a free online moving quote today.
Read more Home Moving Tips here.
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips
Austin City Limits 2014 Artist Lineup Unveiled
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The annual Austin City Limits is one of the country’s biggest music festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees. 2014 marks the 13th year the festival has taken place, and with the lineup recently unveiled on their website, it’s looking to be the biggest one yet. Whether you’re a fan of alternative rock, hip-hop, blues or any other genre, chances are there’s something for you at the Austin City Limits music festival.
If this is your first venture to the Austin City Limits, let me give you a brief overview of the festival: It takes places over the course of two weekends – scheduled for October 3-5 and 10-12 – in the heart of South Austin’s Zilker Park. With over 350 beautiful acres nestled alongside Lady Bird Lake, Zilker is a gorgeous site for all sorts of recreational activities, only one of which is the famous Austin City Limits music festival.
Austin City Limits brings acts from other 100+ performers from all over the world to perform on eight different stages. The festival receives its namesake from the PBS concert series and is produced by the Austin-based company CS Presents (who also produces Lollapalooza).
Who’s Playing?
Some of the many artists scheduled to perform at the 13th annual Austin City Limits include:
- Eminem
- Pearl Jam
- Outkast
- Skrillex
- Beck
- Calvin Harris
- Lana Del Rey
- Foster The People
- The Replacements
- Zedd
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- The Avett Brothers
- Spoon
- The Head And The Heart
- Belle & Sebastian
- Interpol
- Chromeo
- Broken Bells
- Childish Gambino
- Chvrches
- Jimmy Cliff
- St. Vincent
- Phantogram
- Juanes
- The Glitch Mob
- Fits & The Tantrums
- The Gaslight Anthem
- AFI
- Iggy Azalea
- Rebulation
- Icona Population
- Turnpike Troubadours
- Capital Cities
- Paola Nutini
- And many, many more…
Note: the Austin City Limits artist lineup is subject to change without notice. Just because an artist is listed here doesn’t necessarily mean they will show up to perform.
But there’s more to the Austin City Limits music festival than its long list of big-name artists. In addition to the music, the festival also hosts delicious, arts and crafts booths, free games for children, and other activities to entertain attendees. People all of ages will find enjoyment in this massive celebration of music and arts.
If you’re thinking about moving to Austin or you’re already one of the lucky ones who live here, we would love to help with your next move. Get your free online moving quote today!
Published in categories: Austin Texas, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Warning: Don’t Tilt Your Refrigerator While Moving
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When you’re busy making countless trips back and forth on the day of your move, you might overlook something as simple as keeping the refrigerator upright. Most people want to move in as little time possible, so they grab boxes, furniture and appliances without taking into consideration proper moving practices. While furniture and other items can typically be tilted in all directions without any ill effects, doing so with a refrigerator may cause permanent damage to the unit.
So, how can tilting damage a refrigerator? The problem stems from the CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) stored inside the unit. Normally, the CFC liquid remains inside a metal bottle where it helps to cool the unit when in use. If you happen to tilt the refrigerator, however, the liquid form of the CFC can travel up into the coils which are designed strictly for gas CFC. If the CFC liquid freezes inside the coils, it may cause them to crack; thus, causing serious damage to the unit.
Tilting a refrigerator may also cause the refrigerant to settle in one place. This isn’t a serious problem, but it can still reduce the unit’s cooling ability nonetheless.
If you must tilt your refrigerator during the move, let it stand upright before plugging it into the wall. A good rule of thumb is to let the refrigerator sit for the amount of time that it was tilted. For instance, if you spent 3 hours moving it – and it was tilted on its side – let it sit for 3 hours before turning it on. This allows the coolant, oil and other liquids to settle back into their original position.
Tips For Moving a Refrigerator:
- Remove all food, beverages and condiments from the refrigerator before attempting to move it.
- Turn the refrigerator off and let it sit for 2-3 hours (this will help it defrost).
- Remove any shelves, grilles, beverage trays, ice trays or other attachments from the refrigerator.
- Secure the power cord and water line by taping it to the top of your refrigerator.
- Wrap tape around the refrigerator and freezer doors to prevent them from opening during transit.
- If you intend to use a hand cart to move your refrigerator, always approach the unit from its side. Hitting the front or back of a refrigerator with a hand cart may cause damage.
- Get a second set of hands to help you move the unit up or down flights of stairs.
If you’re thinking about moving to Austin or you’re already one of the lucky ones who live here, we would love to help with your next move. Get your free online moving quote today!
Read more Home Moving Tips here.
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips
5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Austin Texas
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Whether you currently live in Austin, or if you’re thinking about moving here, there are some things that you probably didn’t know about this beautiful city. Here, we’re going to share some facts, figures and information about Texas’ capital.
#1) It’s The Country’s Second Largest State Capital
With a population of 865,504 (2014 census), Austin is the second largest state capital and eleventh largest city in the U.S. People from across the world come move to Austin for its rich culture, thriving economy, and breathtaking landscape. Commercial real estate investors have also jumped on the bandwagon, scooping up properties with hopes of expanding the city even further.
In case you were wondering, Phoenix, Arizona is the largest state capital in the U.S., with a municipal population of 1,445,632.
#2) It’s a Popular Tourists Destination
According to some estimates, roughly 19 million people flock to the Austin each year. This translates into $3.5 billion in financial activity for the city. So, why do so many tourists choose Austin as their preferred destination? Music festivals and college football games are two events in the city that continues to draws massive crowds from across state lines.
#3) Austin Houses The Largest Urban Bat Population
Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge is home to one of the largest urban bat gathering in North America. During the summer, people gather around the bridge to watch a spectacle of 1.5 million bats flying into the night skies in search of a new home. Officials first toyed with the idea of tearing down the structure, but environmental specialists and researchers convinced them to leave it intact, as Austin’s massive bat population consumed an estimated 10,000-20,000 pounds of insects.
#4) Austin’s Texas State Capitol Building Is The Largest In The U.S.
To say Austin residents prefer to go “big” would be an understatement. It seems like they take everything to the next level, including their construction of their state capital building. Located in downtown, Austin, the Texas State Capital is the largest capital building in the U.S. At 308 feet tall, it stands taller than the Washington D.C. capital building.
#5) Austin’s Highest Point Is Just 785 Feet
If you have an innate fear of heights, Austin is the place to be. The city’s highest point is Mount Bonnell, which rests just 785 feet above sea level. Although it’s relatively low, it’s a beautiful area that overlooks portions of the Lake Austin. State officials designated Mount Bonnell as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1969.
If you’re thinking about moving to Austin or you’re already one of the lucky ones that live here, we would love to help with your next move. Get your free online moving quote today!
Read more about how great Austin is here.
Published in categories: A Great Place To Live, Austin Texas
Top 5 Moving Mistakes To Avoid
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Let’s face it, no one enjoys moving, but it remains a necessary step when relocating to a new home. The back-breaking labor combined with the stress of not knowing where your items are located is enough to drive any family crazy. And if you happen to make some of the following moving mistakes listed below, this activity will become even more troublesome.
#1) Not Labeling Your Boxes
It only takes a couple seconds to label your boxes, but doing so will make unpacking ten timers easier. Don’t make the mistake of tossing items into random boxes before loading them in your truck or van. A smarter approach is to label the outside of each box with the respective room for its content (eg: dining room, living room, master bedroom, bath, kitchen, etc.). Alternatively, you could place a color-coded sticker on the outside of your boxes to designate its location in your new home.
#2) Not Measuring Door Frames
A second all-too-common mistakes families make when moving is not measuring the door frames of their new home ahead of time. Why is this important? Well, you could end up struggling to wedge an oversized couch or dresser into a frame that’s too small. Use a tape measure to get the exact dimensions of your door frames so you can check it with the measurements of your large furniture.
#3) Not Using a Dolly
If you’re going to move without the help of a professional moving company, make sure you invest in a dolly. There are certain large items – refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, chest of drawers – that are a breeze to move with a dolly. Even if you have the physical strength to carry these items, it really doesn’t make sense given the convenience offered by a dolly. Of course, you can also stack piles of boxes on a dolly, moving half a dozen in a single trip.
#4) Not Covering Furniture
It’s downright frustrating when you pull up to your new home only to discover than you’re furniture has been tossed around in your rented truck or van. In order to prevent this type of heartache from occurring, you should toss some blankets over the top of any hardwood furniture. If the furniture happens to slide around during transit, the blankets will protect them from dings, scratches and other forms of damage.
#5) Doing Everything Yourself
Most people don’t realize just how much stuff they own until they begin moving it. Trying to move everything yourself is a huge mistake that could force you to take additional time off – not to mention the fact that certain items require a helping hand.
When you are ready to move we would love to help. Get your free online quote today!
Read more home moving tips here.
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips, Packing Tips, Preparing To Move
What To Do If Your Home Is Not Selling
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Most of us have seen the Do It Yourself TV shows telling us how to get our house to sell. It’s really a doable thing, but most people don’t do what they need to do to make their house really stand out and get sold.
This is good for you, because it leaves an opportunity to really polish things up and make your home the star that sells. We have a good market in Austin at this time and homes are selling easily. If yours isn’t one of them, then follow these few ideas and learn what to do if your home is not selling.
Getting Out The Excess
It’s impossible to really see your house in the best light when it’s cluttered and crammed with stuff. Either sell some things or put them in storage, but get them out of your house. If you need to, get a friend who has a really nice house to come over and be honest with you about what needs to go.
Repairs
Anything that needs repair should be repaired, unless you are willing to sell at a lower price and have your house considered a fixer-upper. If not, then start repairing the broken door knobs and leaky sink and the hole in the bedroom wall. It won’t take that much and you can hire it done by finding a handy man. Taking care of all the little things will make the house seem cared for and help potential buyers see it’s positive features.
Arrangement
After the house is cleaned out and repaired, you’ll want to arrange the furniture to show the homes features. A few pieces, strategically placed will make the rooms seem bigger and more peaceful. You may want to ask a friend who’s home you like to make some suggestions, or you can hire a professional home-stager to help. Also, be sure to remove personal items from your home so potential buyers can see their things in the house.
First Impressions
Your front yard will either say, “pleeeease come in and buy me, I’m selling at a reduced price” or it could say “Hi there! Wouldn’t you like to see more of me?!” The first things to do is clean-up. Cut back anything that’s overgrown and make it look nice. Stop what you are doing frequently and go stand in the street and see how it’s looking. Next of course, mow the lawn. Water can make a lawn turn green, so start watering regularly. Plant some flowers, maybe hang a basket of flowers close to the door. The better you make your yard look the more buyers will come in and see the house. Make your front door and entry look inviting. Keep leaves and trash picked up.
We wish you the best with selling your house and when you are ready to move we would love to help. Get your free online quote today!
More ideas to help sell your home.
Published in categories: Buying Or Selling A Home, Selling Your Home
Austin’s Louisiana Swamp Thing And Crawfish Festival 2014
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Did somebody say Crawfish? Austin’s Louisiana Swamp Thing And Crawfish Festival 2014 will be held in the Austin American Statesman Parking Lot on April 12th. We understand this will be the 20th year for this fun event!
Of course, you’ll want to bring the whole family and spend the day enjoying free crawfish, live music, moon walks and inflatables for the children and lots more.
That’s Right! Free Crawfish!
This year they’ve increased the amount of crawfish to give away to 7,000 pounds and it’s all free! With the price of admission you will get approximately one pound of free crawfish, until they run out. They will also be selling other food and drink items inside. There will be tables and chairs set up or you can bring your own chairs.
Kids activities will include favorites such as inflatables and moonwalks.
Here’s A List of The Days Events
11am to Noon – Chicken Strut
12:20 to 1:20pm – Dr. Zog
1:40 to 2:40pm – JJ Callier and the Zydeco Knockouts
3 to 4pm – C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
4:20 to 5:20pm – Big Sam’s Funky Nation
5:40 to 6:40pm – Bonerama
7 to 8:30pm – Buckwheat Zydeco
9pm to 10pm – Cowboy Mouth
Bring
You can bring your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, small umbrellas, strollers and such for baby, soft sided coolers with ice only, cameras and friendly dogs on leashes.
Don’t Bring
And, here’s a short list of don’t bring items; weapons, tents, food or beverages including alcohol and if you bring your bike you’ll need to leave it chained to the the fence outside.
Food
Other than the free 7,000 pounds of crawfish they will be offering potatoes and corn and…
“catfish, Bayou chicken, Fried oysters, Shrimp boats, Po’ boys, Crawfish tails, Fried alligator, Frog legs, Mock squirrel pie, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee, Rabbit, Red beans & rice, Roasted corn, Shrimp on a stick, Cajun turkey legs, Mardi Gras king cakes, Cajun taters, Fried mushrooms, Hushpuppies, Boudin, Cajun fried bacon, Hot links, Cheese steaks, Boiled shrimp, Corn dogs, Cajun pork, Pizza, Beignets, Cotton candy, Shaved ice, Cinnamon roasted nuts, Nawlins nachos, Hotdogs, Hamburgers, BBQ brisket tacos, Funnel cakes, “Gator” ade, Smoothies, Cold beer, root beer, creme soda & sarsparilla, Lemonade, limeade, & iced tea
Much more…..”
When
Saturday April 12th, 2014
11am to 10pm
Where
Austin American Statesman Parking Lot
305 S Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78704
Admission
General admission: $20 at the gate
Kids 8 and under free with an adult
“FREE parking next to the event in the TXDOT lot accessed on Riverside Dr. or from Barton Springs next to the Firestone.”
For More Information visit the Austin’s Louisiana Swamp Thing And Crawfish Festival 2014 website.
And remember, when you are ready to move home or office, we would love to help! Get your free online quote here.
Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Ideas For Storing Your Stuff
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It happens, at some time along out journey most of us will need to temporarily rent storage space to keep our belongings. You can save space and keep your items safe with these ideas for storing your stuff.
- It’s important to have the right materials when you are packing so that your things will stay safe and dry during their stay in storage. You will need to get boxes, packing paper and blankets.
- Be sure to put heavier furniture items toward the back of your space and lighter items and boxes toward the front. This will make it easier to find things and keep things more organized.
- When packing your items don’t make any boxes too heavy. If you can get see-through plastic containers, these will hold up longer, stack better and make it much easier to find things you need.
- If you are storing dishes pay special attention to the way you pack them. Most items will keep well in storage with no issues if you will take a little extra time to wrap each item separately with clean packing paper and bubble wrap for heavier and extra delicate items. And be sure to stack the more fragile items on top.
- Take your furniture apart. They will take-up much less room this way. Be sure to break down bed frames and dining tables and wrap the pieces in blankets so they don’t get scratches. Put screws and nuts in plastic bags and tape to the items they go with so you can easily assemble your items when you are ready to use them again.
- Use mattress bags or covers to protect your mattresses. This will keep the dirt off while moving and during storage. When you are ready to use them again your mattresses will be clean and fresh.
- Label every box with it’s content on the top and sides and fill each box to the top so it won’t crush when you stack it.
- There is space in cabinets and dressers to place smaller items such as pillows or fragile items. This will not only keep things safe but will be a good use of your space.
- To store a refrigerator be sure to clean it well and leave the door open slightly to prevent mold from growing inside. You may need to prop the door open.
- Couches can be placed on their ends. And many chairs can be stacked either on one another or seat to seat with one chair upside down on another to take up less space.
- Mirrors and art pieces can be packed in special moving boxes or wrapped individually in cardboard or blankets for safe keeping.
More Home Moving Tips.
And, when you are ready to move home or office we would love to help! Get your free online quote today!
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips, Packing Tips
