It’s understandable that when you first move abroad, you may experience feelings of homesickness. It’s a big life change that, while full of adventure and amazing opportunities, can take you time to adjust to.
Read our blog to discover some useful tips to help you cope with homesickness after your relocation.
Homesickness is a feeling of sadness or stress at being apart from your loved ones. It can leave you feeling isolated and alone in your new home abroad, but can be dealt with by taking the right steps.
Examples of symptoms that can be present with homesickness include:
Try to be patient with yourself following your relocation and move at a pace you’re comfortable with so you don’t become overwhelmed.
One way of expressing your feelings about feeling homesick it to write a journal. How often you do this is up to you, but it can give you time in the day to make sense of your emotions and process the change that has occurred.
It could also be a good idea to practise self-care, which has numerous health benefits, including preventing burnout and improving your productivity. This can look different for every person, but can involve cooking yourself a nourishing meal, doing some exercise or reading a book.
Speaking with a professional about your experience of homesickness might also provide you with extra support if you’re struggling.
Exploring your local area is a great way of getting to know your new home, giving you a chance to figure out what you enjoy and discover some favourite spots.
Use this as an opportunity to visit nearby restaurants, attractions and green spaces to see what is on offer. You could plan a fun trip to visit areas that are further afield, which is a great method for creating memories and experiencing the local culture.
If you’re a digital nomad, do some research of your location to see what co-working spaces are available nearby. These can be excellent centres for collaboration and provide you with a refreshing change of scenery from your home.
For some inspiration on ways you can immerse yourself in local culture, take a look at our blog here.
When you first move into your property abroad, it can take a while to feel settled. You’re going to be spending a lot of time here, so it’s important it feels like your own.
Fill your home with décor and features that you enjoy, which could include photographs of friends and family, your favourite artwork or some fun pieces of furniture. This means you’re more likely to look forward to going home and relaxing in your personal space.
Designing the interior of your home can also become an exciting project, providing you with something to focus on after you move in. There are plenty of online tools and resources you can use to support you in finding inspiration.
If you work remotely, it’s a good idea to keep this space separate from your main living area so that you can fully relax after a long day. Ensure your working area is comfortable and ergonomic as well so you feel comfortable when working.
Social media can be a great way of maintaining connections when you’re living abroad. However, it’s important to find a good balance with how much you use it, as this can help you adjust to your new expat life.
When you spend too much time scrolling on your phone, it can make you feel lonely and like you’re missing out on events back home. Try to limit your social media use so that you can be more present in daily life and enjoy new experiences.
To stay in touch with friends and family, schedule a video or phone call during the week to catch up. This gives you something to look forward, and reduces the urge to check for updates constantly online.
Creating a routine can provide you with a sense of belonging and normality in your new home. This can help you in different aspects of your everyday life, such as eating healthier and getting better sleep.
To help establish a routine, some steps you can take include waking up at the same time every day, set some achievable goals for the day and following your schedule consistency.
Try to incorporate exercise into your schedule as well, as this has multiple health benefits, including relieving stress and producing positive endorphins. It can also be a social activity, giving you an opportunity to make new friends in your neighbourhood.
You can face communication problems if you don’t speak the local language when you first move abroad. If you have knowledge of the dialect, this can help you meet people in your area and make everyday tasks easier – check out our blog for some tips on how to overcome this.
