There’s no denying that moving abroad comes with many challenges. One is homesickness, the feeling you get when you miss being away from your everyday life and environment.
While it’s understandable to feel this way in an unfamiliar location, you don’t have to suffer or consistently feel distressed. After a while, you will begin to settle into what is now your new normal.
In this article, we are going to discuss eight tips to help you manage homesickness when moving abroad.
Let’s get started!
Prepare ahead
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Planning ahead for your big move can relieve a lot of the anxiety associated with relocating. In addition, the more organized you are, the easier it will be to adjust, and the better you can focus on the tips we will mention below.
A few areas that you’ll want to look into in advance include:
– Required paperwork, such as your necessary visa and passport.
– Accommodation.
– Transport for both yourself and your belongings.
– Required immunizations.
– Medical and health coverage, such as with IMG Global Insurance.
Create a routine
When first moving abroad, figuring out a strong routine can be challenging, especially if you are still getting used to the time zone difference. But, despite the difficulties, a schedule has many benefits and will help keep your mind distracted from negative thoughts.
Try waking up and going to bed at the same time every day. It’s also wise to squeeze in a daily workout and mindfulness exercises so that your body remains in great shape.
Tick off your bucket list
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It might be rather scary to venture out into the world, but the only way to truly recover from homesickness is to turn your new location into your home! There is so much to discover, and getting out of your comfort zone will help you become more familiar with your surroundings.
Did you make a bucket list before you moved? Now is the time to tick it off! Whether it be visiting the main attractions or simply making your first grocery store trip, it will all be worth it.
Make new connections
You may miss your old friends, but this doesn’t mean you can’t make new ones. There will always be people out there that you will get along with; you just have to make an effort to reach out and find them.
Start with co-workers and friends of friends if you have them. There are also many great groups and forums online that can connect you with others, but it’s best to exercise caution, especially during meetups.
Avoid fixating on social media
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Social media is a beautiful tool, but it can also be our downfall. Constantly looking at what everybody else is doing will only cause unnecessary stress, and you may begin to regret your choices.
Of course, you want to update and check in with your friends but keep this to a set time each day. Your mind will be a lot happier and healthier because of it.
Learn a new skill
Another great way to keep yourself distracted is to try learning a new skill while living abroad. This could be something like mastering the local language or even learning how to cook some of the local cuisines.
There may also be classes available that you can test out. It’s another excellent way to make new friends and will ensure you get out and about in society.
Take care of your health and wellbeing
We’ve mentioned health and wellbeing many times, but it’s essential to discuss them more in-depth. You won’t be able to overcome homesickness unless your feel physically and mentally well.
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Regular exercise and eating right are critical, but you want to check in with your mindfulness too. For instance, you might journal your thoughts and practice breathing exercises and meditation. It’s also a good idea to find a new GP you trust to help you with any future medical concerns.
Keep in touch with loved ones
Finally, the last tip to remember is that you should keep in touch with your loved ones. While reaching out to them can be rather painful, you don’t want to leave your old life behind altogether.
One good idea is to schedule a phone or video call each week on a set time and day. This way, you’re still checking in on one another, but not so much that it makes you feel even more out of place.
Final words
And that’s it. These were eight tips to help manage homesickness when moving abroad. So, while it can seem daunting and overwhelming at times, you will be able to get through it. Just think of the positives and remember why you made the decision to relocate in the first place.
