Ways to Overcome Homesickness

Homesickness is an inevitable part of being away from home, especially during the first time. However, the emotional distress caused by homesickness should be taken seriously. If you feel homesick, it's important to recognize the emotions you're experiencing and understand why you feel this way. You must accept the fact that adjusting to a new environment can be difficult, and making new friends will also take some time. As your new life unfolds, you should take positive steps to overcome homesickness.

Embrace Freedom. It may sound like bad advice, but embracing freedom is one of the best ways to combat homesickness. Moving to a new place gives you the opportunity to decide how to spend your free time. Focus on yourself; sometimes, this is exactly what you need, and going to a new environment provides you with a great chance to do so. Tips for enjoying solitary life include:

• Exercise. You should try to increase your heart rate every day, in any way you like. Jogging is a great way to observe your neighborhood from a personal perspective. It helps you learn about your new surroundings and feel more comfortable.
• Bring something to keep you occupied. If you keep a journal, always take it with you. Alternatively, bring a book or magazine. Reading and writing are great ways to keep your mind engaged and express your thoughts.
• Do the things you’ve always wanted to try. Go skydiving. Or, if you prefer, visit an art museum. Think about the last time you thought, 'I’d love to try that.' Whatever it is, this is your chance!

Strive to maintain a positive mindset. Don’t confuse being alone in your new place with feeling automatically lonely. There’s no rule that says being alone means you have to feel lonely. Remind yourself of this, even saying it out loud if necessary. Some helpful affirmations you should say to yourself include:

• My time alone is temporary.
• Today, I may wish to go somewhere else, but things here will get better.
• Sometimes, everyone feels lonely.
• I am strong and creative enough to handle being on my own.
• This world has many people who care about me, no matter how far away they are.
• Right now, I’m spending time with myself, and maybe that’s exactly what I need to do.

Look for alternatives to the comforts of home. If you miss the familiar coffee shop from your hometown or are worried about finding a trustworthy mechanic, take a moment to reflect on what you liked about these places. Step outside and look for comparable versions of these comforts in the city you're living in. Searching for things like a new coffee shop will help you better understand the type of environment you want to immerse yourself in.

• For example, you may realize that natural light is a key element for focus, and the new coffee shop you’ve been visiting since moving here is darker than your favorite one back home. If you find a coffee shop with the right lighting and a similar atmosphere, it might become your new favorite spot. Additionally, the search process will allow you to meet more baristas (who might be great local guides) and explore new neighborhoods!
• Keep in mind that seeking comfort in a new city requires some knowledge about the area. Explore everything the city offers, including new exercise opportunities, dining options, nightlife, and public transportation. You’ll start comparing them to the familiar things you love. This approach will increase your comfort level in the new city and provide you with the equivalent of what you cherished back home.

Set aside specific days to stay in touch with family. Plan for a specific day, once a week, to make a call home. Although it might feel like it's not enough, this method gives you the time and space to begin forming social connections in your new environment.

Place familiar items around your home. Subconsciously, objects that remind you of home and the people you miss will help you feel more at ease. Even though they might trigger a desire to return home, they will bring you comfort in your current space. You could put up photos of your friends and family or place items from your room back home in spots where you’ll see them often.

Write a traditional letter! Write a letter to an old friend you haven't spoken to in a while. This act will mean a lot to the person receiving it, and you’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy the process of writing a handwritten letter. If that friend is willing to converse, you should exchange letters with each other. A letter each month will help you stay in touch, create a way to express your thoughts on paper, and give you something to look forward to receiving.

Set up expectations for yourself. Anticipating something can help you maintain a positive mindset. If you're missing home and have the chance to visit, plan your trip in advance. This method will help you feel calm in the present, create something to look forward to, and even provide you with a sense of being at home.

Understand that replacing people is harder than replacing places. You’ll soon find a new hairstylist. Finding new friends, however, will be more challenging. Allow yourself to miss the people who made your life comfortable before you moved – and recognize that there won’t be anyone else exactly like them anywhere in the world. Don’t let this affect your quality of life in your new home.

• Remember that your new city not only offers the possibility of new friendships, but also an entirely new network and community to explore. Don’t hesitate to embrace this. If you’re missing one or two specific people, you can call them in the evening to talk about your day. You’ll have plenty more to share – and the conversations will become more positive and fun – once you have fresh experiences to talk about!

Connect with people in your current location. While you might not want to do this, wherever you go, there will always be people eager to meet you. Whether based on background or shared interests, seek out people who focus on similar criteria. For example:

• If you’re attending a large university and have moved to a big city, there will likely be alumni gatherings. If a quick search doesn’t yield results, try contacting the alumni association, and they’ll let you know if there are any alumni groups in your new city.
• If you've moved to a new country, look for fellow expats who have also relocated there.
• Take an impromptu step forward. There are many great websites dedicated to organizing meetups based on similar interests or simply social interactions. Websites like Internations and Expat are designed to help you meet people from all over the world.

Accept invitations. If someone invites you to hang out, don’t hesitate! Don’t worry about immediately becoming friends with everyone you meet. You’ll encounter many people with whom you won’t develop a lasting relationship. Still, you can enjoy the interaction, and the more people you meet, the more comfortable you’ll become engaging with the world around you.

Host a meal and cook a dish from home. This is a wonderful way to bring some familiar flavors and spices from home, while also building meaningful connections with people in your new life. Friendships based on sharing food tend to last longer than words. You should invite someone you’d like to get to know better to share a meal that holds special significance for you. Talk about your home as well as the home you're creating in the present.

Volunteer. Volunteering will help you integrate into your new community, leading to more social connections and providing you with a sense of belonging in the new city. Whatever your interests are, you can always find volunteer opportunities you’re passionate about, and meet others who care about contributing to the world in similar ways.

Surround yourself with others. Being around people is a simple and natural way to increase social interaction. If you're a college student, you should know that this is the time when you have countless opportunities to meet people and engage in new communities in your life. Consider these options:

• Check the student organization directory. Universities often post this information on their websites.
• Review the school schedule. Chances are, you'll soon find yourself attending events you didn’t know existed. College is a fantastic place to explore all kinds of creativity, from music to comedy. There’s always something that will capture your attention.
• Join recreational tournaments. This method will help you quickly integrate into your new community and lead you to build new friendships.
• When eating, especially in places where people gather for meals (like the cafeteria or dining hall), try asking if you can sit at a table with an empty chair, and greet those sitting there.

Understand the roots of homesickness. Living away from home, especially for the first time – perhaps for school or military service – will soon make you miss every aspect of your precious life. You should recognize that missing the people and places that once made you feel loved, safe, and secure can greatly affect your mindset. The longing to return home is a manifestation of the desire for comfort and familiar safety, including routines and a sense of belonging in society.

Remember, homesickness will come and go. Just like any other emotion, the feeling of homesickness will change over time. Don’t be surprised if you experience moments of sadness and a desire to go home. These feelings are completely natural. Your mind (and body) are simply reacting to significant changes in your environment.

Don’t be shocked by strong emotions. Homesickness can lead to serious consequences for both your mental and physical health. It’s important to seek professional help if you’re feeling unstable or extremely sad. Be especially cautious if you notice the following symptoms:

• Anxiety.
• Sadness and restlessness.
• Constantly obsessing over thoughts of home.

Share your feelings with others. Whether you’ve just started college, moved to a new job, or had to enlist in the military, talking to someone about your transition can help. Even if you don’t know who to speak with, look for someone you know who has lived independently in another place before. Ignoring your feelings will only prolong your homesickness and make it worse.

Reflect. Ask yourself, “What am I missing?”. Perhaps it’s not the place itself, but rather the old version of yourself that you’re longing for, and you’re not accustomed to the new person you’re becoming. New experiences often trigger deep self-reflection, and with that, some meaningful realizations will contribute greatly to your personal growth and maturity.