How to avoid getting sick after moving into a new house
We put a lot of effort into moving, and it isn’t uncommon for people to get sick after moving into a new house. Moving can involve cleaning and clearing dusty spaces, which can aggravate allergies. It’s often stressful, which can trigger all sorts of health issues. Simply moving to a new environment can challenge your immune system and bring on sniffles, sore throats, fevers and headaches. It pays to be aware of the common risks to your health associated with moving and know how to avoid them. Here are five tips to help keep you healthy the next time you move.
Strengthen your immunity
Whether you’re moving long distance or across town to another suburb, your environment changes. It exposes you to new weather conditions, different people, and other environmental factors such as pollen in the air. These changes are unavoidable, and it takes time for your body to adapt and adjust to your new environment. This is where it’s important to strengthen your immune system to help fight off any illness.
Here are a few ideas to boost your immunity:
- Maintain good levels of hydration and drink plenty of water.
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
- Eat healthy food.
- Take any vitamins or supplements you need.
- Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
- Continue good hygiene practices we learned from COVID-19, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and covering your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
Allergens and dust
Clearing out dusty spaces such as attics, garages, sheds and basements can stir up dust and other allergens, exposing your body to them. Your new home will also have unfamiliar allergens, which can trigger an immune response. Typical reactions include sneezing, coughing, irritated skin, headaches, sore eyes, and sinus redness and swelling.
How to reduce allergens and dust:
- Clean the air filters in any air conditioning units.
- Open windows to freshen the air.
- Dust and vacuum your home before packing.
- Take any allergy medications you need.
Hand health
We use our hands a lot when moving. It’s important to look after them. Even small cuts can lead to infections. They will also get dirty, which can invite a variety of issues to your health.
How to look after your hands:
- Wear work gloves to protect your hands from cuts.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Use hand sanitiser if you can’t wash your hands often.
- Immediately treat any cuts with antiseptic and apply good dressings.
Check the health of your new home
We often discover problems in our new homes that we didn’t expect, which can make us sick. If the property hasn’t been maintained well, it might have any of the following problems. These include black mould from water spills, water damage, asbestos and chemical contaminants. These can cause irritation to skin, sinuses and eyes, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and nausea.
How to check the health of your new home:
- Get a healthy home inspection from a licensed professional before making an offer to buy it.
- Check under the house or in the basement for signs of water damage, mould or rot.
Look after your mental health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Many people get depressed, stressed or anxious after moving, as everything is unfamiliar. It takes time to adjust to new surroundings and to develop a new routine.
How to look after your mental health:
- Stay in touch with friends.
- Meet new people with common interests.
- Get support if you need it.
- Explore your new community to familiarise yourself with it.
Moving is difficult, and getting sick will only make your life worse. It’s important to take care of yourself before and after moving to avoid sickness. Enlisting help from professionals to make moving easier is also a good way to protect your health.