Preparing the family for a move may conjure images of stacks of boxes and phone calls to utility companies. While those logistical matters are a key part of making sure that the move goes smoothly they only address a portion of the necessary tasks. I recently wrote a guest post on Preparing the Family for a Move which appeared on the International Therapist Directory website that goes into this topic in much more detail.
Though they may not appear first on the to-do list when you start preparing for a major relocation as a family the emotional and social needs are crucial. It is important that you obtain housing that meets your needs. You may start seeking out insurance to keep your prized possessions secure once you have settled in your new location. However, the very next thing on the list should be making sure that you have the emotional supports that you need to be happy and fulfilled. One of the negatives to being an expat and relocating to a new place is that you may be leaving behind your friends and family. They make up your support system that helps to keep you grounded in difficult times.
Developing some healthy self-care practices can also go a long way towards allowing you to shoulder the challenges that come with relocating. Yes, those tried and true recommendations i.e. get plenty of sleep, exercise, maintain a healthy diet and make time to relax and recharge appear here again. With all the changes happening at once (as they do with a major move) it is easy to lose track of the routines that you know actually work well for you. These will vary from person to person but listening to your body and making sure you are taking care of it so it is there to take care of you are key.
You can use this link to read the full article on Preparing the Family for a Move.
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