Many people believe that moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Although it’s unlikely you can eliminate this stress completely, you can reduce the burden by approaching your move with effective packing strategies.

Here are four often overlooked packing strategies to help reduce your stress when moving.

1. Lessen the Load

Since you’re moving, maybe it’s time to apply an “out with the old, in with the new” strategy to make your job easier.  Remember as you are going through your home one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Websites like freecycle.org and craigslist.org can be a great outlet for downsizing your possessions. Don’t under estimate the power of the traditional garage or rummage sales either. What you don’t sell you can always donate to a charity organization like Goodwill.

2. More than Boxes

Batman is only as good as the goodies in his utility belt and a packer is ineffective without his or her packing tools. In addition to all the boxes you’ll need, it helps to have the following items within reach as well: markers, labels, bubble wrap, newspaper, scissors, tape, and packing peanuts or shredded paper. These items will preserve the quality of your precious belongings while in transit as long as they are packed properly.

3. Semper Fi

One of the most effective packing strategies when storing or transporting your clothes is the “roll” technique practiced by soldiers and marines. This process involves folding the item once long ways and then rolling it from one end to the other into a small roll. You might keep the dry cleaner in your new town busy for a month after you get moved, but the roll makes sure your clothes travel in the most space-efficient way possible. You can even use as one of your packing strategies for other items around the home like curtains, towels, sheets, and table cloths.

4. Flee From the Paper Trail

You may not expect something as small and ordinary as paperwork to make a difference in the weight and number of boxes you move, but old records, files, mail, and other paper items can add up and weigh more than expected. To eliminate some of this weight and space waster, go through all of the papers you’ve saved over the years and shred what you no longer need. You’ll be surprised at how much junk mail gets stowed away in your filing cabinet without conducting a regular inventory.

Moving may be one of life’s most stressful events, but try using it as an opportunity for a fresh start in life. Applying these effective packing strategies can help reduce the weight of this burden and also allow you to clear out the old stuff and make room for the new.