Relocation is necessitated by our daily demands such as looking for new opportunities, job transfers or upgrading to a bigger house. It feels like an opportunity for an adventure for most people but for some, it's stressful and a major cause of depression. Relocation depression can be shown through the following signs and symptoms:
- Excessive sleeping
- Persistent headaches
- Lack of sleep
- Suicide attempts
- Difficulties in decision making and concentration and
- Feeling hopeless
Possible Reasons for Depression After Moving
Most people enjoy relocating, but for some, it brings them stress, anxiety, and depression. Here are some factors that can cause stress and depression.
1. Cultural shock
Moving to a new place with different culture may have the potential of leaving you lonely and alienated. Difficulties of learning a new language, adjusting to the culture and lifestyle of the new place can result in homesickness and feelings of depression at any time you miss your favorite places at home.
2. The influence of your past life
Human beings are social beings whose activities are mainly influenced by their surroundings. Of course, you would be affected by the people around. Depression after moving is possible in a case where you long for the people you used to have around you such as the family, friends, and relatives. This can be a major cause of moving depression because you cannot make new friends immediately after the move.
3. Inactivity and boredom
Physical activities play a significant role in keeping yourself active because they trigger the movement of endorphins. Moving to a new locale requires you to do some research to get to know which of your hobbies are available in this new area. Your old hobbies might feel uninteresting based on the fact that you are no longer in connection with your former colleagues. But if you don't want to take part in local activities and try to make new friends, you would be more bored and inactive.
4. Forced relocation
You might get depressed after moving if you had no choice in the matter, for reasons such as your spouse's job transfer. Lack of personal motivation while relocating might make you feel resentful because you move to support your spouse. Leaving your friends, home and giving up your job for someone else might result in moving depression because it might seem as if you have compromised your future.
Coping with Moving Depression After Relocation
Depression associated with moving to a new locale has the potential of changing your way of life and therefore it is important to get a solution for it. Different people deal with it in different ways but there are general ways helpful in overcoming relocation depression.
1. Familiarize yourself with the new environment
Overcoming moving depression is a willingness to accept the sudden change in your residence and familiarize yourself with the new environment. Get out and explore the area you just moved to by engaging in activities such as visiting museums, parks and joining social groups in the area. If you are a parent with young children, scan for available libraries, there are a lot of activities for your family. Knowing people and resources in the new area is helpful in making you feel at home. Feel free to ask your real estate agent for recommendations about the nearby places to relax or eat.
2. Make new friends and maintain contact with old friends
Making friends immediately after shifting into a new location might be difficult but making them is helpful in the reduction of the stress associated with relocation. Friends offer much-needed support, crucial in eliminating loneliness and isolation. Make an effort of getting to know your neighbors and establish a friendship with people such as grocery store agents. At the same time, do not abandon past relationships, make sure that you keep in touch with your best friends even if they live far away from your locale.
3. Decorate your own space
Strive to make yourself busy by disrupting your mind from getting filled with negative thoughts by embracing productive distractions. Engaging in productive distractions is a great way of recovering from depression after moving because it might help you in the long run. Decorating your new home is a great distraction helpful in making your new home a place that brings you joy. Feeling at home in your new home helps abate depression after the relocation.
4. Get involved in activities
Engaging in physical activities is a great way of getting relieved of relocation depression. Exercising helps in providing an endorphins rush which is helpful in boosting your moods leaving you feeling fresh and revived. Various studies show that aerobic exercise is more effective in improving one's mood compared to the intake of antidepressants. Check out the available gyms in your area or sports club and if possible walk more instead of driving all the time. Being busy with meaningful projects and hobbies is helpful in battling depression and sadness.
5. Give yourself time to adjust
Avoid being hard on yourself and give yourself some time to adjust to the new place. You have to take time to get over relocation depression and therefore after trying all the suggested depression relievers, give yourself time to adjust. Try to take things easy while coping with post-relocation depression.
6. Seek professional help
If nothing happens even after giving yourself time to cope with the change in residence, then it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Consider seeking the services of a talk therapist or a counselor. Professional help is crucial in the determination of the main cause of depression and could offer the best treatment method.
Summary
Moving from one place to cut off your past relationships and your usual way of life, making you suffer from depression. The best way of fighting post-move depression is to avoid it but if you land into it, adopt relocation depression strategies laid out in the article. The strategies for dealing with relocation depression have been used by many people and it works.