Cures for homesickness

Living abroad is an amazing experience. However, for people who decide to move to another country, it is a challenge. Not only is being away from close family and friends what makes it a challenge; it also requires a lot of strong self-motivation. A Survey by Gallup estimated that eighty percent of residents in the Americas­ express a desire to migrate permanently, but they do not decide to move only due to their own desire; they have many other issues involved in that decision. Because of making that decision, people can face anxiety, loneliness, and depression due to the fact of being away from close family and friends. Staying connected with home­ wherever you go, creating a new home, and finding a support group are great solutions while living abroad.

People who are living abroad have the challenge of changing their language, their culture, and their typical food preferences.  For this reason, people begin to experience anxiety and the desire to stay at home. To provide a solution, people living abroad should consider making regular phone calls to family to be in touch with them. Phone calls can help to compensate for those difficult times of anxiety. At the same time, for Christmas, Mother’s Day or when anxiety becomes harder, the internet can be a useful tool of communication. Technological advances such as facetime and, skype give an opportunity to participate in important family events. As well as, people that are living abroad should collect letters before they depart for them to read when they may feel alone.  

Creating a new home ambiance as soon as someone moves in can be a chance to create new, loving moments. Thinking about warm places that smell like wonderful memories will help make your new home as your family home. Small decorations from your home country can also bring a sense from home. Build a family collection, hanging photos with meaningful memories, like some birthday pictures or graduation diplomas. These will help to shape memories in new your home and, to feel less lonely.

 People mostly say that is common to look around them and not see anything or anybody. Places look empty and it is hard to try to have friends or finding someone to talk to. Making new friends during the first days it’s important or even trying to start a new conversation with a friendly person at work, talking about the weather or a place to have lunch, will help to have someone to talk to. Foreigners should try to become part of groups at the gym or at different churches because it will drastically change their time living abroad. Joining clubs will motivate and encourage them to overcome those overwhelming days far away from home.

In conclusion, depression and anxiety are emotions easy to feel when living abroad as people are unfamiliar with new territories. However, if someone would like to transform those unpleasant feelings into great experiences, they need to become emotionally stable. To do so, practicing all the suggestions previously provided will help travelers with homesickness while living abroad.