Moving house can be incredibly stressful for several reasons. Worrying about your house price offer not being accepted, having the inevitable clear-out, and living out of cardboard boxes can be incredibly disorientating. The process of moving out itself is often mostly down to strategy. You have to decide what you can live without for a few weeks and what needs to be moved first. This can often involve heavy lifting, whether it’s to the car or the removal van. To do this safely, you will need to follow a few steps.
Don’t over-do it
We’ve all had that moment when we’ve been over-ambitious with how much we can lift. A box of books might not look all that heavy, but when we come to lift it, we might have a horrible moment of realization. Before you approach any potentially heavy items in your home, gently try and see how heavy it is. If it’s too much, don’t test your limits. While you might be temporarily fine struggling with the odd heavy item, you might do yourself some serious injury. It’s also incredibly dangerous to tackle stairs and steps with a heavy item, as your concentration will mostly be on keeping hold of the item and not letting go.
Get a firm grasp
There can be nothing more frightening than feeling a heavy object starting to give way in your hands. Before you pick it up, see if there are handholds you can grab hold of, or at least something that will give your hands proper purchase of the object. It will also prevent the annoying repetition of continually having to pick it up and down again to keep hold of it without dropping the load.
Keep your legs far apart.
To keep your balance while lifting and spare your back some unfortunate pulls or twinges, you must get a good posture before lifting. Keeping your legs at least shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly forward will help you maintain a strong position before lifting. Keeping your legs too close together will make you far more like to topple and lose your balance.
Lower yourself down
While it might feel tempting to bend over and pick it up, you would be doing it all wrong. Squatting down to reach the object will give you a good foundation to lift yourself from. It will also stop you from putting way too much pressure on your back.
Maintain a good posture
A good posture will be mentioned a lot when it comes to lifting – and for a good reason. Keeping your face looking forward and your back straight, you will be keeping an even distribution throughout your body. Your upper and lower back should feel comfortable, not strained.
Take it slow
Take your time as you lift, don’t rush it. This prevents you from accidentally twisting or losing your balance. If you decide you can’t do it – stop.
Use your center of gravity.
As you walk, keep the object close to you so that you can use your center of gravity. Holding it at length won’t do you any favors and will likely impact your balance or put strain elsewhere on your body. Taking small steps and leading with your hips is also vital for maintaining your center of gravity – it keeps your strength inward, using your core as much as possible.
Repeat the process
When you’ve reached the place, you want to be with your object, repeat the same process as above, and lower the object. Bend with your knees again and keep your back straight. Don’t twist to put it down; face the place you want to rest it. Again, take it slow. This stops you from making any rash movements or breaking the object you are holding.
Changing direction
If you need to suddenly change direction, or move around, always use your feet. Remember: you want to alleviate as much pressure as possible from your back. You can still maintain a good posture and change direction with your feet; just be careful about suddenly turning.
Don’t cheat!
It can be tempting to think, “I’ll just bend over for this one.” However, there are no exceptions to the rule: always bend at the knees and preserve your back. That one time you decide to take a gamble and put all the pressure on your upper and lower spine could be the time that you find yourself being driven to the doctor! While it can feel arduous to bend down every time you pick up an object, the comfort you will be in afterward will be totally worth it. You don’t want to start your new life in your new home in a neck brace or with a sore back.
Get help
If you absolutely have to get that last box of kitchenware to the car now – ask for help. Don’t risk your health for the sake of urgency. Asking someone who is helping you or a family member grab the other end will save your back some injury and help with general spatial awareness. Your removal team is also there to help. Getting experienced professionals who provide local moving service in your area will be a huge help. For example, if you lived in Charleston and wanted specialists such as Piano Movers Charleston or those who specialize in Antique Moving Charleston, you can be assured that they’re professionals who know what they’re doing. Not only are they trained in lifting heavy objects, but they know the value of your possessions – no need to worry about any accidental bumps or scrapes. If you can’t do it yourself, search ‘Movers Charleston‘to find a bit of extra help.
If you are worried about the sheer amount of lifting it takes to move house, then always enlist a professional moving company’s help. Finding a moving company in Charleston will help you lighten the load and get moving with ease. For smaller boxes and other items that need to be placed in your car – ask for help and follow the above method. Nothing is urgent enough to risk the health of your spine or muscle groups.