Feeling Homesick? Here Are 4 Ways To Cope.
An acute form of anxiety or emotional distress that comes from feeling disconnected from familiar places and familiar faces, forced out of one’s regular routine — that is what homesickness is.
Homesickness can come from a number of different factors. These factors range from having difficulties adjusting to a new environment to feeling lonely or cut off from one’s regular support system, to also having a perceived lack of control over what is happening and the list could go on.
It is important not to let that degree of homesickness prevent you from enjoying your new home.
Like any other communicable disease, homesickness does not just go away overnight. It takes a lot of effort to push through that feeling and it is doable and well worth its trouble. Once having removed the homesick glasses, it can be said that you can enjoy everything around you in a new, more positive light.
Each person has their own way of overcoming homesick feelings. Here are four ways to cope that have helped me in the past and I hope they can help you as well:
1. First act like a tourist, then be an expat
Go to the popular attractions to get to know the country’s culture and history right away. Do a little research about where you are living and find a few places you are interested in exploring like the ten best cafes in the city, the favorite locations for local street artists or all the different places you can rent bikes to go biking in nearby forests. Make a list of places or activities and challenge yourself to do/see all of them.
2. Try local food
I find that connecting with a culture through food is one of the most vital steps. You learn a lot about people and their traditions and you get to try out new foods that might just end up becoming one of your favorites.
3. Create a new routine like you had back home
It can be very easy to slip into unhealthy routines when you first move to a new country and do not know anyone. Staying home alone every evening and watching TV might be a short-term solution, but eventually you will get bored and will feel more isolated than you did in the beginning.
You can use the spare time to get to know your new home better. Plan trips, explore different neighbourhoods, or take long walks in the local area.
Also, it is important for you to figure out what you are going to do as a daily and weekly routine. This not only includes mundane tasks but also fun or interactive things as well such as going to a local street market for groceries or meeting friends for a drink. Research has shown that those that feel they are in more control suffer from less homesickness stress.
4. Make new friends
The quickest way to settle into a new country is to build a network of friends and feel a sense of community. My top tip would be to go beyond making friends within expat groups or forums. While these can be great for meeting new people in a similar position to you, I have found that a lot friendships can grow out of a shared interest too.
You will make lasting and profound new friendships. You will create a new sense of home for yourself. You just have to give it some time and patience.
No one is immune to homesickness. What makes a big difference is how you choose to deal with it. Take care of yourself and seek support when you need it. It is important to be aware of feeling homesick and not to try to make it go away or pretend it is not there.
Home is still going to be there when you get back. So, make the best out of your situation while struggling with homesickness. Embrace the newness around you and make it a part of you.
