By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
One thing that can be done to keep the post-moving doldrums from exploding is to make sure that you get plenty of natural light and physical activity. Take strolls when you can and obtain ample physical activity inside if you cannot be outside. Research shows that endorphins help to make us feel better, and physical exercise floods your system with those little goodies.
Send out a Newsletter and Change of Address Cards
If you've not sent change of address cards to your friends, it's time. Take a pic of the family members as well as your new house and integrate a chatty newsletter about all your "news"--house, community, job, schools. Informing your old friends concerning your new life could put a smile on your face--it is bittersweet, inevitably, but can make it easier to move on.
Make sure your kids are aware that Santa is getting the change of address information, as well. Include a copy of your family newsletter along with their letters to Santa, and when they get older, frame both of them as a keepsake.
Get Involved—Volunteer
You'll find sufficient opportunities to get involved with your new area through schools, church, and non-profit organizations, and the holidays are the same. Take a look at community social media pages for groups that appeal to you and your family, and organize a Saturday wrapping gifts or an evening in a soup kitchen.
Many neighborhood groups offer families the chance to provide Christmas for disadvantaged children and households, and this is a wonderful way of getting your kids engaged. Bring them shopping with you--ask their suggestions about styles and colors, games and toys, and allow them to choose a couple of items. Certain groups request that you bring in unwrapped gifts. If you're wrapping the presents, let your youngsters select gift wrap and gift bags. Make sure you label wrapped gifts with names and sizes.
Without becoming too schmaltzy about it, this type of group task does wonders when it comes to boosting adolescent attitudes--of course, your kids are invariably feeling sorry for themselves, missing their old friends, nevertheless helping others will go a long way when it comes to getting things back into perspective.
Have a Holiday Vacation
In England, a holiday is really a vacation. If you can't get into the spirit of the season in the new town, and you are unable to return to relatives and friends, take a holiday--blow all of it off. This plan primarily is effective when nobody is truly anticipating Santa (however with overnight delivery almost anywhere, why not), or you are not flying to your vacation--carrying along all the gifts results in hefty checked baggage costs. Here are several suggestions for a holiday getaway.
· Local resort--a destination of some kind is within a day's drive of virtually any place in the nation. These selections incorporate recreation for your children and also grown-ups (supervised for kids, adults not as much), incredible decorations, excellent foods, along with a nice break from your routine. Try to find things such as decorating gingerbread houses, Yule log hunts, sleigh rides with hot cocoa, and building sandcastles at the ocean--subject to where you visit.
· Island escape--when you consider the combined expenses over the holidays, an island vacay may not be as unreasonable as you assume. Without a doubt, it can be a fairly grand total, but if you carry out the math on trees, gifts, hosting a party, new outfits for events, decorations, and whatever else, that is often a surprising amount, as well. This may be a better choice with older kids, who are able to amuse themselves while you rest.
· Christmas in the city--if you have viewed the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and imagined Christmas in The Big Apple, make this the year you decide to go. Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Nashville can also be places which are great for the holiday season.
Taking a change from the usual holiday routines just might help you through this transitional year. If you're still struggling with the blues and are unable to manage to shake them, find some professional help. At times moving to Dallas has more of an effect than you anticipate, and it requires more than a vacation and a shopping trip to get back to feeling like yourself.
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