Moving house: ways a person’s emotional health may be affected

Change can be exciting, it can present new opportunities and sometimes it can be an enjoyable experience. However, sometimes change can bring its own challenges. For example if the change has been unplanned, such as the death of a loved or being diagnosed with a serious illness, then a person can sometimes feel out of control and can get frustrated and feel resentful at having to adjust to change.

There are many life events that will challenge us and being able to manage our reactions and emotions to these changes allow us to develop personally. This also develops our self-concept as we understand how to manage and react to certain emotions.

What emotions would a young person feel when moving house?

The usual emotions that a young person would face in this life-changing situation may include:

• Anxiety

• Loneliness

• Stress

• Fear

• Sadness

• Excitement

How would a young person react to the life changing experience of moving house?

If the young person is not happy about moving house, they may:

• feel uncertain and anxious that the move will be a good move.

• not cope well with change and this may cause the young person to feel insecure or isolated until they get used to their new environment.

• not want to move house which may cause conflict with parents as they may miss their friends/anxious about having to move schools/worried that they don’t know anyone.

How could a young person positively manage this change?

A young person could:

• research what the change may be like. For example, if moving house, finding out what the new house/neighbourhood will be like and this will help to reduce feelings of anxiety and worry and help the young person adapt to the change more easily.

• talk to friends and family about how their experiences. Sharing and discussing what they feel could help them understand their feelings, manage and work through this new change.

• talk to someone who has been through a similar experience as this can be comforting to the person that all will be okay and that someone has been through this before.

• enjoy the challenges and excitement of moving house, meeting new people, joining clubs in the new local area.

• seek professional support, by speaking to a GP, if the change is causing emotional health problems such as anxiety or stress. A GP could advise on the appropriate steps to take to help the young person.

Check out the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work Second Edition Textbook to find out more or check out: My Revision Notes: CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work: Second Edition

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