Moving home can be stressful, but did you know it can also cause separation anxiety or in extreme cases, depression? Relocation depression is one of the more severe symptoms someone may experience after uprooting themselves from everything or everyone they are familiar with. The feeling of security is often times taken away during relocation, as we step outside our comfort zone and enter unknown territory. Although many people adapt to change very well, there are an equal number of people that experience mental, emotional, and physical distress associated with major life changes. All of these symptoms, if not properly dealt with, can result in a depression. While most negative affects of relocation are not long lasting, knowing how to properly deal with your feelings will speed up the process of adjustment and allow you to resume to life as usual. While you may not experience severe symptoms of relocation depression, feeling somewhat down and unmotivated after a move is common. Learn how to overcome relocation depression and start enjoying life in your new home! Continue reading below for helpful tips on how to overcome relocation depression.
How to overcome relocation depression
- Take steps before you move
Explore your new neighborhood before you move. Get familiar with local grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and whatever else peaks your interest. This way you will be able to maintain several aspects of your daily routine even after you relocate. As a result, you can expect to experience a much smoother transition. If you’re unable to visit in person, you can always learn more about your new hood via the World Wide Web. Take a virtual tour using Google Earth, anywhere, anytime!
- Unpack as soon as possible
You will want to begin unpacking your belongings as soon as possible after the move.
By unpacking soon after, you will surround yourself with familiarity and as result will make your new place feel more like home. You can even arrange furniture in such a way that closely resembles your old home. Feeling home sick is a real thing. You formed a special bond, routine, and an attachment to a specific environment. Therefore the longer you wait to make your new place feel comforting and cozy, the higher your chances will be for experiencing relocation depression. A familiar environment won’t only make you feel better, but will make the entire relocation process much easier for the entire family, especially younger members of the family.
Pro Tip ⇒⇒⇒ Check out our helpful unpacking tips
Make all efforts to stick to your old routine, and habits. If you’re used to going for a coffee run every morning, continue with this tradition after you move as well. It won’t be the same coffee shop or the same barista, but you’ll certainly get to enjoy your fresh cup of coffee and a feeling of accomplishment. Falling back on routine no matter the circumstances is healthy; therefore you’re fully encouraged to enjoy your old habits. Of course we are talking about the healthy ones!
- Maintain important relationships
While you may be busy trying to organize your new life, do not forget or become too busy to keep in touch with important people in your life. Just because you moved doesn’t mean you need to stop meeting up for drinks with your old neighbor or having weekly brunch dates with your bff. Keeping meaningful relationships alive will help you transition into your new place and life that much easier. You will feel comforted knowing that no matter how lonely or melancholy you get, there will be someone there to help remind you that you’re not alone. Even when you start making new friends, don’t forget your old buddies that you shared many great memories with. It is natural for people to grow apart, but don’t let it happen only because you’re far apart.
Making new friends and forming new connections is important and highly advised. Meeting new people may not be easy to do, but you’ll be surprised to learn the number of various outlets available for this particular purpose. When you relocate to a new city, any place you will visit thereafter is potential grounds for meeting new, like-minded folks. Don’t get too caught up on the setting. If a person is nice and appears to share similar interests, make an effort to put yourself out there.
Pro Tip ⇒⇒⇒ Check out our tips on making new friends after moving to a new city
It is easy to start experiencing feelings of sadness, even fear, as you find yourself in unfamiliar settings. If you haven’t had the chance to visit your neighborhood before moving there, you may feel like you’re out of your comfort zone. The best thing you can do for yourself in situations like this is embrace the new territory and go on exploring. If you moved with your family, make an effort to get familiar, and enjoy quality time with loved ones. The more you get to know your new city, the more you will realize that it is no longer new to you. Who knows, you may even find it more appealing than your old neighborhood.
- Give yourself time to adjust
It takes time to adjust after a big change. Give yourself time to embrace your new place and new life. The important thing is to not be too hard on yourself. Pamper yourself and take time out of your daily routine to do things you enjoy the most. You may not immediately realize just how much stress you’ve been under. Therefore it is imperative to take things slow and steady. Everything on this list does not have to be accomplished within the first week of your move. Proceed at the pace most comfortable to you, and most importantly avoid overexerting yourself.
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