Relocation depression is a common side-effect to packing up life as you know it and moving to a new state or city.
At first, moving can be full of excitement and long to-do lists that keep your mind busy. However, once the chaotic-filled moving day is behind you, it’s normal to fall victim to relocation depression.
What causes relocation depression?
While the side effects of moving may be triggered differently for everyone, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and treat them accordingly.
Relocation depression happens for a number of reasons such as being unfamiliar with your new daily routine to missing moments with family and friends. Despite the reasons, there are many solutions to overcoming relocation depression.
Try hard to make new friends and be social
Making new friends is never an easy task, especially in a new city when you virtually don’t know anyone or the city itself.
It might seem more appealing to sit on your couch and watch Netflix all night, but you’ll make more friends if you get out of your apartment and comfort zone. Consider joining a kickball league to meet new friends or going to happy hour with your co-workers after work.
Put yourself in social situations and focus on meeting new people. You’ll be surprised to find that just showing up to locations or events can open the door to new friendships.
Keep old friendships alive
People often underestimate the value of a lifelong friend.
Just because you relocated doesn’t mean your old friends are gone. Plan a trip with your best friend or have an old friend come visit you. The familiarity of an old friend in a new city can be helpful when exploring locations or restaurants. This will be a great opportunity to show your friend around your new city and have something exciting to look forward to.
Even a simple pep-talk from a friend or family member back home can be the spark you need to meet new people and defeat your relocation depression.
Consider joining a local gym
Joining a new gym is a great way to stay occupied and also meet new people.
Yoga? Pilates? Most gyms offer classes and opportunities for you to be social, exercise and get involved in the community. Before you know it, you’ll become a regular and have lots of new friends in your gym. Joining a new gym or fitness class is a great way to beat relocation depression.
Get to know your new city
Unfamiliar settings and foreign places can easily bring fear and unwanted thoughts. By familiarizing yourself with your new neighborhood, you’ll find it more appealing as you explore it more.
Ask neighbors for recommendations, use apps to find the best places to eat and go on weekend adventures downtown. Follow local bloggers on social media for the inside scoop of the best places to visit in your new community.
Before you know it, you’ll be living like a local.
Staying busy is the key to overcoming relocation depression
The best way to combat relocation depression is to stay busy and get involved in your new community. Overcoming relocation depression requires a little bit of effort, but you’ll feel happier and more fulfilled once you do.
When you’re feeling lonely in a new place, just remember that patience is your friend and it will get better. Focus on tackling the different steps listed in this article and you’ll be feeling at home sooner than later.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash