When people move from rural areas to cities in China for work, their health and happiness can be affected in important ways. Researchers surveyed 935 people who had recently moved to understand what helps or hurts their well-being. They found that people who moved with their whole family, lived closer to their old home, and had good money felt healthier and happier. People who moved alone, lived far away, or struggled financially reported more pain, worry, and sadness. The study shows that staying connected to family and taking care of your health through exercise, good food, and sleep are key to feeling good after a big move.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How moving to a new city affects people’s physical health, mental health, and overall happiness, and what factors make the biggest difference
  • Who participated: 935 adults who had moved from their hometown to a city in China for work or better opportunities. The study included people of different ages, family situations, and income levels
  • Key finding: People who moved with their spouse and children, didn’t move too far away, and had stable income reported much better health and happiness. Those who moved alone or far from home, especially with money problems, struggled more with pain and anxiety
  • What it means for you: If you’re planning a move, bringing your family with you and maintaining healthy habits like exercise and good sleep can help you feel better in your new home. This is especially important if you’re moving far away or have limited money

The Research Details

Researchers created a survey and asked 935 people who had recently moved to a city to answer questions about their health, happiness, family situation, and daily habits. They looked at information like whether people moved with their family, how far they moved, their income level, what they eat, how much they exercise, and how well they sleep. The researchers then used statistics to figure out which factors had the strongest connection to people feeling healthy and happy. This type of study is called a ‘snapshot’ study because it captures information at one moment in time, rather than following people over months or years.

Understanding what helps migrants stay healthy is important because millions of people move to cities each year in China. By knowing which factors matter most, doctors and city planners can better support people during this big life change. This approach looks at the whole picture—family, money, and personal habits—rather than just one thing

The study collected responses from a large number of people (935), which makes the results more reliable. The researchers used proper statistical methods to find real patterns. However, because this is a snapshot study, we can’t be completely sure that one thing causes another—we can only see that they happen together. The study was published in a respected public health journal, which means experts reviewed it before publication

What the Results Show

The study found that migrants’ overall health and happiness scores were fairly good on average, but there were big differences between groups. People who moved with their spouse and children reported much better health than those who moved alone. Those who didn’t move too far from their hometown felt better than those who moved long distances. People who rated their family’s money situation as good felt significantly healthier and happier than those struggling financially.

The research also showed that personal health habits made a huge difference. People who ate well, exercised regularly (at least a few times per week), and got enough sleep reported much better health and happiness. In contrast, people with multiple ongoing health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure had lower quality of life scores.

Two major problems stood out: about 1 in 4 migrants (25.2%) reported pain or physical discomfort, and nearly 1 in 3 (31.3%) experienced anxiety or depression. These were the most common health complaints among the group studied.

The study found that the combination of family factors and personal health habits together had the strongest effect on how people felt. For example, someone who moved with their family, lived close by, had good income, AND exercised regularly felt much better than someone missing even one of these factors. The research also showed that migrants living alone faced the biggest challenges with mental health, particularly anxiety and depression. People with low family income had more physical pain and discomfort, suggesting that financial stress affects both body and mind

This research adds important new information because most previous studies looked at either family factors OR health habits separately, but not both together. The findings support what other research has shown—that family support and healthy lifestyle choices both matter for well-being. However, this is one of the first studies to specifically look at how family migration patterns (like moving with or without family members) affect health in China’s growing cities

The study only captured information at one point in time, so we can’t know if people felt better or worse after moving. We can only see what’s connected to better health, not what actually causes it. The study asked people to remember and report their own health, which might not be completely accurate. We don’t know if the results would be the same in other countries or in rural-to-rural moves. The study didn’t include information about access to healthcare or social support services in the new cities

The Bottom Line

If you’re planning to move to a new city: (1) Try to move with your family members if possible—this strongly supports better health and happiness (High confidence); (2) Maintain healthy habits: eat nutritious food, exercise at least 3-4 times per week, and get 7-8 hours of sleep (High confidence); (3) If you’re moving alone or have financial stress, actively seek community groups, mental health support, or counseling services (Moderate confidence); (4) Try to move to a location not too far from your hometown if possible, to maintain family connections (Moderate confidence)

These findings are most important for: people planning to move to a new city, especially those moving alone or far from family; families deciding whether to move together; city planners and health officials creating support services for migrants; employers who recruit workers from other areas; and mental health professionals working with migrant populations. The findings may be less relevant for people moving short distances or those with strong local support networks already in place

You might notice improvements in mood and energy within 2-4 weeks of starting healthy habits like regular exercise and better sleep. However, major improvements in overall health and happiness typically take 3-6 months as you settle into your new community and establish routines. Mental health improvements (reduced anxiety and depression) may take longer—often 2-3 months or more, especially if you’re isolated. Building strong family and community connections takes ongoing effort over many months

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes (goal: 150+ minutes), daily sleep hours (goal: 7-8 hours), and mood/anxiety levels (1-10 scale daily). Also track family contact frequency (calls, visits per week) and rate your overall health feeling weekly
  • Set a specific weekly exercise schedule (e.g., ‘Walk 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday’), establish a consistent bedtime routine, plan one family video call or visit per week, and track one healthy meal per day. Use app reminders for sleep time and exercise sessions
  • Review your weekly averages for exercise, sleep, and mood every Sunday. If exercise or sleep drops below goals, identify barriers and adjust. Track whether weeks with better sleep and exercise correlate with better mood scores. Monthly, assess your family connection frequency and adjust contact plans if needed. Share progress with a friend or family member for accountability

This research describes patterns found in a study of Chinese migrants and should not be considered medical advice. If you’re experiencing significant pain, anxiety, or depression, please consult with a healthcare provider or mental health professional. The findings suggest associations between factors and health, but don’t prove that one causes the other. Individual experiences vary greatly, and what helps one person may not help another. Always discuss major life decisions like relocating with trusted family members and healthcare providers. If you’re struggling with mental health after a move, professional support is available and can be very helpful.