How to Overcome Homesickness?

I would be lying, if I say that I haven’t been homesick during my ten months trip to US. It is not easy being away from family, friends and your familiar surroundings for a long time, so it is only natural to become homesick once in a while. Especially “special” kind of days like Diwali season or my birthday was not easy to handle.

So what do you do, if there is that moment that you only want to pack your bags and get on the next flight home? Here are my five key tips, that I have learned on how to overcome homesickness:

1. Distract yourself!
If you’re bored, then you will think about home, what your friends might be doing now and if your dog actually misses you. Be active and busy! Get out of the house, explore your new home, go out for a run, join activities or learn something new. There are endless possibilities to clear your mind.

2. Use technology!
We are lucky to live in the digital age, where you can basically get in touch with everyone, almost everywhere at any time. Take advantage of our modern technology and connect with your friends and family, talk to them and you will feel instantly better. Social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook or Skype are great ways to communicate with people back home.

3. Go shopping!
Who said money can’t buy happiness? Go on a little shopping spree and buy yourself something special that will cheer you up. Maybe a new camera to capture all your moments abroad? Or some delicious food, because eating yummy food equals happiness, right? Well, at least temporarily.

4. Make friends!
Try to make an effort to meet new people as soon as possible. Join clubs, attend events or find people, who are in a similar situation as you. It is always easier to connect with a person when sharing the same interest. Having friends around makes everything easier!

5. Be positive!
Ask yourself: Why did you leave home? What was the reason to go abroad? Remind yourself of the purpose of your time abroad. Write it down and put it on your wall. This will serve as a reminder and a motivation for the future.

At the end of the day remember that is normal to feel homesick and that it happens to all of us. It is okay to have a day off, but don’t forget that your time away from home is only limited. Make the most out of it!

At the end of the article I would like to confess that even after a lot of efforts and mental tuning, I have always missed my home after staying out for a month. But I feel better when I see my best friends who get restless even after a short trip of 5 days and another one who misses home food after 2 meals in foreign land.

Lucky are the people who get to travel, Enjoy yours!