Moving is a major change for everyone in the family, but it can be especially hard on adolescents. If they’re moving to a new home across the country or their local move is taking them to a new school district, they’re losing their friends, their school, and the life they have built so far. Making sure that you’re paying extra attention to their health and wellness during this transition is crucial to their well-being. Here’s how moving can impact your teen’s health and what you can do to support them.
If their behavior or mood changes, get your teen help.
You can expect teens to be moody when they move to a new house. However, there’s a major difference between a bad mood and mental health issues. If your teen begins exhibiting symptoms of depression like withdrawing from family, eating or sleeping less or more, and expressing more anger or sadness, now’s the time to get them help. The good news? You don’t have to rely solely on local therapy resources near you during your relocation. In fact, there are plenty of resources that can help you along the way no matter where you’re settled at the moment.
One great resource is CharlieHealth. They offer personalized mental health treatment for teens via individual therapy, intensive outpatient therapy (IOP), and family therapy. With the support of a team of licensed clinicians on a schedule that works for you, your teen can learn how to cope with their symptoms, work through stress and trauma, and receive the tools they need to thrive. If your teen needs mental health care and a treatment plan to work through feelings of depression or anxiety during a move, using teletherapy is an excellent way to start their mental health journey.
Make the moving process easier on everyone with professional movers.
Whether it’s moving day or the weeks leading up to the move, everyone may feel a little on edge. You can ease the stress that accompanies a local move or long-distance move with the support of an experienced moving company. High-quality moving companies have years of experience executing moving plans and taking care of the heavy lifting, offer additional services like short-term storage and packing services, and have competitive prices so you can stay within your moving budget. If it’s your first time moving and you’re not sure who to trust to move your belongings, simply search for local movers online and choose the best moving company in your area (for example, searching “movers in Maryland” if you live in Bethesda or Rockville). No residential move should come at the cost of your mental health!
Prioritize strengthening your relationship with your teen.
During a move, teens may not only feel stressed out but also that they’re being neglected as you focus on all the logistics of getting to your new home. Even after you’ve moved everything in, there’s still so much to do. Make it a point to carve out time to connect with your teen so they know that you’re there to listen and support them as they navigate this massive change in their lives. No matter how they’re feeling or what they’re experiencing, knowing that they have a solid support system at home (and one that’s actively paying attention to them) can go a long way in helping them feel less stressed and anxious about their move.
While moving can be difficult for the whole family, it can be an especially impactful experience for adolescents who feel uprooted and powerless. To make sure their health is being cared for during this process, use the tips above to reduce their stress and connect them to the resources they need to be successful in their new home.
