How to Cope with Relocation Depression and Make Moving a Pleasant Experience

Every major change brings numerous questions. The fear of the unknown is quite common in those relocating, but there are ways to prevent this from happening or solving the problem if it has already arisen. Right now, you’re wondering How do you cope with relocation? How do you deal with a big move? Can moving to a new home be traumatic? How to reduce costs when moving and where to donate unwanted items? How to avoid common moving mistakes? Will I manage to find a job before moving to another state? We assume you are somewhat overwhelmed. You become anxious with the mere thought of everything new that awaits you. Let’s address all those concerns of yours and answer all the questions running through your head. Let us help you recognize the symptoms of relocation depression when relocating to a new city alone and learn how to deal with them even before you plan your moving budget and schedule moving services.

Moving to a New Place Brings Huge Changes – How to Handle Them?

Naturally, no matter where you choose to move or what are your reasons to move, relocating to the suburbs or another home in the city center means an abundance of changes. Not only are you leaving your house, but you’re also leaving the safety of your neighborhood, that bakery you go to every morning, your favorite bookstore, perhaps you’re moving into a smaller home and you’re not so happy about it. More importantly, you are leaving your friends and perhaps even family members, too. It is of crucial importance to prepare for all those changes to be able to handle them.

Once you pick the best time of the year to move, figure out how to tell your friends that you’re moving and then talk to them about it. The same goes for your family members if they’re not going with you. Find the best way to tell your parents you’re moving out of state. It is essential to have someone to share your burden with. Coping with the move can be challenging, but just like with any other problematic situation, it all depends on how you choose to approach it and who you have by your side.

Look at Moving to a New Place as a Positive Change in Your Life

Regardless of what prompted you to decide it’s time to move, you need to learn how to think of it as something positive. If you refuse to accept the change to start with, you create the problem before any actual issue even appeared. Thus, look on the bright side. Think of everything good your move to another home is going to bring you, including numerous opportunities for growth, career advancements (if you’re relocating for a job), new experiences, and friends, perhaps even a new you.

You don’t know what good a change can do you before you actually embrace it. If you’re moving for a relationship, be happy about the time you’re going to spend with your significant other. Moving in together with a partner will only bring you closer. However, if you are relocating to urban jungles such as Los Angeles, Boston, or one of five boroughs of New York City looking for employment, be pleased with numerous career opportunities.

You’re Not Alone – Rely on Your Friends for Help

Always remember that you are not supposed to go through this trouble alone. Even if you’re relocating to another state alone, it doesn’t have to be that hard if your friends support you. Stay in touch with them no matter how many miles lie between you. Just one Skype call once in a while can cheer you up and you’ll find it easier to combat the first signs of being depressed. Speaking of them, let’s see what symptoms you should watch out for.

What Are the Symptoms of Relocation Depression?

To be able to actually deal with any issue, you first need to realize that there is a problem to solve. When it comes to depression, it is somehow often confused with plain sadness. Thus, we would like to mention some of the most common symptoms of this condition so that you know how to tell when sadness and mere nostalgia, and homesickness have taken a more alarming form.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that you need to be aware of:

• You’re having trouble getting out of bed
• Lack of interest in everyday activities
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• You’re spending too much time in front of the TV

How to Cope with Relocation Depression?

Relocating can be traumatic, but that doesn’t mean that you should just let it be. You can do something to repair the damage caused. You just need to learn how to deal with moving stress and relocation anxiety, and not let melancholy take you over. You’re stronger than that. Here are some moving day tips on what would be best for you to do so as to get back on the road to recovery soon.

Sleep Less

It may not make much sense when you first hear it, but sleep deprivation can, in fact, be helpful in this situation. It is common for depressed people to sleep too much, which can only make things worse. Too much sleep will only take you deeper into melancholy, so it’s a good idea to sleep less for a change and see if that works for you.

Maintain Old Habits

To feel grounded, you might want to stick to some of your old healthy habits. Maintain the same routine you had back home as much as you can, at least during your first days upon your move. While unpacking try to decorate and make the place feel like home. That way, you’ll find it easier to cope with all the changes, making you feel like you never left your old home.

Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine

Make sure you avoid both alcohol and caffeine as much as possible if you’re feeling depressed because both can only make you feel even worse. Alcohol is a depressant, and as such, it can’t possibly do you any good, and neither will coffee. It’s a much better idea to relax over a cup of tea while learning some packing tips and tricks, for instance, such as how to create a household inventory list for the insurance. A useful tip is to find some free packing materials for moving and save up on relocation expenses.

Eat Healthy

If you’re depressed, you’re already low on energy, so you need to pay special attention to what you eat during this period. Food and depression are tightly related, which means that eating healthy can have a positive impact on your condition.

Do Regular Exercise

Action really is the enemy of thought. Thus, no matter how difficult you might find it to even get out of bed, let alone exercise, you need to make that effort and do it for your own good. According to recent studies, regular exercise can be even more effective than antidepressants. If you’re not ready to go running at the moment, at least try going for a walk two or three times a day. Then you can move on to other physical activities, one step at the time. It won’t be long before you realize you’re feeling better after that walk or workout.

Forget All Move-Related Issues and Go Out

One of the worst things you can do when depressed is to lock yourself in and never leave your home. Whether you failed to find a job or house-hunting didn’t go as planned, you can’t just give up. We understand that you don’t have any desire to go out to the store, let alone anywhere else, but you need to make yourself go out, be it to the cinema, to a theater, or just for a walk. This will take your mind off the trouble and help you forget about all the issues your move has caused you, at least for a little while.

Book Reliable and Trustworthy Long-Distance Movers

Booking an efficient long-distance moving company is one of the best ways to relieve your stress levels and anxiety about the upcoming relocation. No matter how small or big the move is, the whole process is challenging and will leave you with so many tasks. On the other hand, when hiring movers, you won’t have to lift a finger while the whole job is done in no time. For example, you can schedule packing services, and your chosen movers and packers will come fully equipped with high-quality boxes and packing supplies.

You won’t have to stress if your move-in and move-out dates don’t match, because movers can offer clean and climate-controlled storage units for your precious belongings. You could also look up how car shipping works and contact an auto shipping service to transport your car across the country. The whole process of long-distance relocation will simply be more comfortable and reduce stress levels with a reputable cross-country moving company.

Connect With People to Make New Friends

The chances are that you only feel like being alone and you can’t imagine starting new friendships, but this is exactly what you should do. Making friends in a new city might seem challenging and awkward, but it’s easier than you imagine, and it will, without a doubt, help you a lot to have someone to spend your spare time with. This is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to adjust to a new state or a city and avoid all the gloomy feelings. Therefore, it must be on your relocating to another state checklist.

You Can’t Deal With It? It Might Be Time for Professional Treatment

In case none of the previously mentioned seem to work for you, consider going to a professional counselor. It’s okay if you’re not able to cope with some problems by yourself. That’s when you need to consider counseling as an option. Turn to a professional for guidance on how to go through this troublesome period and adjust to your life as smoothly as possible. There is no shame in seeking help.

There Is Always Light at the End of the Tunnel

Even though it might seem too difficult at times, it is possible to deal with depression and eventually win the battle. Yes, you will have to be patient and persistent, but what’s important is that there is a way out, and you can find it. You can be happy again. Don’t let anything spoil your joy.