How to Deal with the Emotional Impacts of Relocation
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: November 28, 2021
Table of Contents
Relocating can be an emotionally taxing journey. The process is not only physically demanding and time-consuming but also carries significant psychological weight. The emotional turmoil experienced during and following a relocation is among the most intense stresses encountered in life. A myriad of feelings can surface in the context of moving, including sadness, joy, anticipation, anxiety, perplexity, denial, and much more. Adding to this, the Emotional Impacts of Relocation are profound and varied, deeply influencing our mental and emotional well-being.
Emotional Impacts of Relocation
Some people even do not realize that there will be an emotional impact too of moving. Many a time, people connect moving with adventure and excitement and not with stress but it is not so. Craving for support, fear of commitment, and sadness are common emotions that we notice during and after a move. The financial burden that comes with moving also adds up to the anxiety levels of a person who is moving. There also comes the feeling of grief and loss of friends and family that we leave behind after a move.
Many people resist change especially when it is forced upon us like a job transfer or higher education. Some people take it as a transition and growth while others take it as stress.
The experts at the cross-country moving companies explain that the emotional stress that comes with moving is unavoidable but there are some tricks and tips that can be followed to lower the level of this stress. Although moving stress cannot be eliminated you can follow the tips given below to handle and reduce your moving stress:
Take Help from Family and Friends
Constantly stay in touch with family and friends. Ask them to visit you more often which will give you moral and emotional support while you will be dealing with the newness of the place. If you have shifted to a far-off place then it is very much advised to make new friends at the earliest. Take part in social activities and get aware of your surroundings. This will increase the feeling of belongingness thus you will feel more at home.
Come Out of Your Denial Mode
Some people refuse to accept that they have to move which can be detrimental to their chances of having a problem-free move. This state of denial will not let you start your moving process which will lead to many problems. Work for what you want and donāt expect any magical things to happen.
Work on the reasons behind your denial which can be your love towards your old house or job, your attachment to the current city, feeling of losing friends and family.
Donāt Expect too Much
Do not expect too much from your new place. Though you should have some dreams and expectations from the change donāt over-expect as this may lead to disappointment. You need to be very practical when deciding to move, although it would feel tormenting to be alone in a new place, it takes a little more patience and willpower to overcome the shortcomings. You can indulge in some yoga or meditation to ensure control of your expectations and ensure not to make some already.
Handle Your Fear
Fear is another emotion that further has many aspects like fear of damage to valuables during the move, fear of losing your people, and fear of the new and unknown places. You can avoid all these fears by planning your move well before time. Visit your new home at least twice or thrice before moving in. Hire a good moving company to be sure of the security of your belongings.
Help Your Children to Adapt
If there are children in the family then the emotional impacts of relocation are all the more after moving. To keep children away from this stress, talk to them about the change. Donāt impose your decisions on them involve them in everything from packing to unpacking to setting up the new house. Make moving fun and adventurous activities for them. Donāt make false promises but talk about the positive aspects of the new place. Help them in making friends. Go out with them. It is very advisable to take your kids to your new house before actually shifting there.
Organize a Get-Together
Call your family and close friends and have a get-together before moving to a new place. Make memories and click photographs. Spend some quality time together and make sure you stay in touch with them even after moving.
Relax
Once moved, do not overstress yourself. Take your time to organize your new place. Take care of your comfort while doing chores and placing things. Warmly organize your furniture. Keep a comfy corner all for you which you can use to relax and to do your favorite activities like reading, singing, or dancing. Treat yourself better and order food from outside for a couple of days at least.
Understand and Avoid Relocation Depression
Although relocation depression symptoms may vary from excessive sleep to lack of energy apparent apathy, unwillingness to leave your new home, and no desire to socialize are some of the more symptoms. Avoid being a victim of these by working on the problem and by adopting proven ways to overcome relocation depression. Stay positively busy. Spend some time with yourself.
You need to be very strong when relocating to a new place. It is common for people to feel fearful, alone, and depressed at the starting but as time passes by, things hit back to normal. Make sure you have a strong support system and great willpower to handle the stress associated with the moving process as well as the life after it. The emotional roller coaster can land you in strange places but it is you that can overcome it. We hope that the abovementioned aspects of the process will help you to overcome your emotional dilemma and come up with a stronger and emotionally strong self.
Thank you for reading!
