Moving can give you tough time. You start by making plans for your move and budget, arranging a moving company, dealing with all the packing and deciding what to do with the things you won’t be relocating – the list could go on and on. And then, when you have to get a new job, find new friends, move away from your family and the people you care about, the whole experience could get worrisome. Can moving cause depression? Definitely the way different people handle changes in their lives vary – some are more sensitive than others and more prone to stronger emotional reactions. Moving related depression can cause discomfort but this does not mean you have to just sit tight and accept it.
Can Relocation Cause Depression?
When you are focused on the details of the move like renting a truck and buying boxes, somehow the real important issues of fitting in a new area and adapting to a new environment stay behind. Depression with relocation can be the result of that. But, either way, you’ve come to the right place to find the solutions you need. Here are our suggestions for relocation depression strategies that could really help.
But let’s start by getting into the subject of what causes relocation depression really.
- Spend time with your partner and children and look for ways to enjoy it!
- Changes when moving with your family. If you are relocating with your partner and children, the move will impact them as well. They will change school and a job, and if your partner doesn’t find employment that could make it more difficult for everyone to adapt.
- Climate. That means, for instance, moving from a place which is warm and sunny to a place that has all four seasons, for example. Getting through your first winter could be tough unless you take measures.
- Culture shock. You may think that only a depression moving to a new country can cause it but you’re wrong. Various parts of one the same country could be so different that they can get you this feeling – the accent could be very different and the way of life. Just imagine moving from a large, metropolitan area, to a small village, or vice versa.
How to Overcome Relocation Depression
- Be patient. With yourself and with the other members of your household – everybody is going through the same experience. You may need time to adapt. Look after yourself and each other. Talk to each other and talk to someone who is close to you, sharing can help you take at least a bit of the emotional burden off.
- Keep in touch.Keep talking to people who are close to you like family and friends, hang on the walls pictures you had at your previous home, place around items like statuettes – in general try to surround yourself with familiar items that will make you feel more comfortable. Spend time together with your spouse and children getting to know the city or just watching movies together to relax after the long working day.
- Keep smiling and try to stay positive – you have nothing to lose anyway!
- Find new people. Get out there and meet new people – ask colleagues to get lunch together, join a club where you can practice your hobby, or just do some sports. In all cases you will begin to make friends and this will help you with adapting to your new life.
- Experiment. Now is the time to try new things – look for things that make you happy! This could be food, going to new places in the area, visiting bars that play music you’re not used to, etc. The idea is to open to the new opportunities that your relocation gave you and make the best of it. Sitting at home and just feeling sad is not always the best option.
- Get a job. It will help you socialize – finding employment you enjoy or finding a way to enjoy your employment will make you spend your time through your working hours much easier and much more pleasantly.
- Focus on the things to be done and try to use the opportunity of distracting yourself, if you get to feel sad because of the move.
- There is no single recipe that could be given for a person to overcome relocation depression but these suggestions are a really good starting point for it. Doing things that feel nice and engaging yourself in activities that are pleasant for you and your family are a good way to gently distract yourself from the discomfort you may be feeling sometimes due to the move, and ensure spending nice time wherever you are.
- To sum up, be easy on yourself, take things more lightly, look for things that make you happy and try not to take things too seriously. Life is supposed to be fun!
