How to Overcome Relocation Depression After Moving

Moving into a new home is a significant life event, and, as so, it triggers an abundance of emotions beginning on the first day of the planning for the move and ending on the move-in day, when you finally locate yourself at home in your new residence.

What is the definition of relocation depression?

Relocation depression, also known as separation anxiety, is a deep feeling of nostalgia and sadness that occurs after you’ve arrived at your new place. Based on a variety of factors, this feeling of sadness could hit you right after your move is completed or even a few days or weeks after the period of post-relocation.

If you’re moving to a different city with your family, then the likelihood of falling depressed due to relocation is lower due to the fact that you’ve brought your family members into your new home with you and are ready to take on any challenges that arise post-move with them. The unfamiliar surroundings can still be a challenge, and your most beloved friends will be thousands or hundreds of miles away. However, the love and support of your family will allow you to deal with any recurrent bouts of depression.

How can you overcome depression caused by relocation following your move?

If you think you might be depressed due to having to move to a different home in a new town, it is not a good idea to sit around, ignoring the situation and wishing for the tough period to pass. Sure, time can prove to be the best method to deal with the anxiety of separation; however, you must also be fighting for it to get rid of the depression that comes with moving as quickly as possible.

Here are tried and tested ways to combat the effects of relocation depression and to help you be back in the right mindset and begin enjoying your new life post-move.

1. Keep in contact with your old acquaintances.

Stay in contact with your acquaintances so that you can breeze through the post-move adapting phase.

One of the best strategies to manage depression caused by relocation when you move to a different setting is to stay in contact with the people you left behind. The gap between your lives is not a reason to let your relationships that are meaningful go away. Now you'll have to keep in touch with your closest friends more than ever before.

2. Get the courage to make new acquaintances.

How do you deal with depression during a move? It is essential to keep in contact with your old acquaintances, but it’s more essential to put in the effort to meet new acquaintances in your destination area.

3. Explore your new city or town.

The unfamiliarity and unpredictability of the city or town can add to the overall feeling of not being at home there. It’s not the case in any way, but the only way to overcome the uncomfortable and terrifying feeling is to visit the new locale and realize that there’s nothing threatening or frightening about it.

4. Do the things you used to enjoy.

One of the best ways to beat anxiety about moving to a new area is to take up your old interests or pick up new ones based on your mood and what the city offers.

5. Find yourself a pet.

If you’ve just moved to a different city with no one else and feel a bit lonely, one of the best ways to beat depression due to relocation is to find yourself an animal companion. A pet, a dog, or even a bird is always the best option. It is likely that this new companion will soon become one of your closest friends at your new home, which will help ease the post-relocation period of transition.