Moving to a new house is widely recognized to be one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. It’s an inconvenience as well as a major upheaval—on top of it all, leaving a place you’ve lived for a significant amount of time can take an emotional toll.

One of the best ways to minimize the stress involved is to get organized. Planning well in advance and learning some moving tips and tricks can make everything a whole lot easier. Even getting to grips with things like loading a moving truck can be a huge help.

Read on for some top tips on how to load a moving truck now.

1. It all Starts With the Packing

The number one thing you can do to help make loading your truck easier is to pack well. You need to strike a balance between not making each box too heavy and making sure that your moving truck isn’t too small for the number of boxes.

This can be tricky to achieve. Know what size truck you’re getting ahead of time and use this to inform your packing tactics.

2. Put Similar Boxes Together

Of course, one of the number one packing tips you’ll hear is to label everything clearly. This is important for when you arrive at your new home. But it’s also handy when you’re loading your truck.

Try putting similar boxes close to each other to make them easier to unload. Also, put anything you’ll need urgently toward the door, so you can get it if you need it.

3. Be Safety Conscious

Although loading a moving truck doesn’t seem like it would be so difficult, it can actually cause serious injuries. You should be aware of the safe way to carry and load boxes before embarking on your move. Bend your knees to pick up any boxes, and never pick up a box you think is too heavy for you.

4. Break Things Down as Much as Possible

When you’re loading furniture, it’s helpful if it’s in as small a state as possible. You should always break down any furniture you’re going to be packing. Yes, it’s annoying to reassemble, but it will be much easier to pack and fit into your truck when it’s smaller.

5. Enlist Help Where Possible

Many hands make light work, as the saying goes. The more people you have helping you, the less time loading your truck will take. Try to get friends and family to come and assist you with loading your moving truck.

If none of your loved ones are available, there’s always the option of hiring local moving help. Any costs incurred here are almost always worth the time you’ll save and the stress you’ll avoid.

Loading a Moving Truck the Right Way

Loading a moving truck is often more stressful and difficult than it looks. Give yourself the very best shot at success by following the above moving tips.

If you’re still nervous about your big move, we’ve got lots more advice for you. Check out the rest of our content now.