Whether you are moving across the country or to another suburb, leaving your home can be overwhelming in many ways. It can be particularly difficult if you also have a family to relocate as you may have made close friends and have established yourself within your current community. However moving to a new area can be a chance to make new friends, create more memories and expand your community network. Reducing your family’s stress and anxiety about the relocation can be as simple as practicing positivity and planning ahead.

Explore your area

It’s worth exploring your area prior to the move. This allows your family to become familiar with their new surroundings and create a positive attitude towards the relocation. Go online and explore the different things you can see and do. Get your kids involved by showing them new parks, bike tracks or their new school. Enrol or buy tickets to something exciting in your new area prior to the move, as this will give you something to look forward to.

Make it a home

If you have children, make the new home a familiar place. Have their favourite toys and other possessions handy and ready for them on the first day of the move. Children like familiarity so having the things that they loved from the old home in the new one, will help them adapt easier.

Keep to routine

Sticking to your routine helps you and your family adapt faster. If you normally go to the gym, have swimming lessons or any other activities for yourself or with the kids, then try to continue with these activities in your new area.

Meet new people

Try to get involved in work or school activities, as this will help you fast track making new friends. Ask your social network if they know of anyone in your new area; a friendly introduction prior to your move is helpful in many ways, as it’s great to have a friendly face in your new neighbourhood. They can also provide information about what is happening in the area and introduce you to others.

Ask the ADF community

You can also reach out to the Defence Community Organisation, where you can obtain detailed regional information for your new posting location. Find out what’s on offer in your new home at www.defence.gov.au/DCO/military-life/deployment or by contacting the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

Blog post written by Complete Corporate Wellness. Visit their website: www.completecorporatewellness.com.au