Coping with Homesickness: 8 Easy Tips

Homesickness is a common feeling that many people experience when they are away from their home, family, and friends. It can be a difficult emotion to deal with, but it’s important to remember that it’s completely normal and natural. Whether you’re studying abroad, traveling for work, or just moved to a new city, homesickness can strike at any time. In this article, we’ll discuss eight easy tips to help you cope with homesickness and make your new environment feel more like home.

1. Celebrate 24 Hours of Homesickness

When you’re feeling homesick, it can be tempting to wallow in your emotions and isolate yourself. However, this can actually make things worse. Instead, try setting aside one day to fully embrace your homesickness. This can be a bit like having a “breakup day” after a relationship ends. Allow yourself to indulge in some comfort food from home, listen to music that reminds you of your loved ones, and call your friends and family. After 24 hours, make a conscious effort to move on and focus on the present. Plan a fun activity with new friends or explore your new surroundings. This will help you break out of the cycle of homesickness and start enjoying your new environment.

Embracing Homesickness as a Reminder of What You Care About

It’s important to remember that homesickness is not a sign of weakness or failure. It’s simply a reminder of the things that are important to us. It can be a powerful motivator to stay connected with our loved ones and appreciate the comforts of home. So instead of trying to push away these feelings, embrace them and use them as a reminder of what truly matters to you.

Don’t Let Homesickness Take Over Your Entire Day

While it’s important to acknowledge and address your homesickness, it’s also important not to let it consume your entire day. Set a specific time frame for your “homesickness day” and then make a conscious effort to move on and focus on the present. This will help you avoid falling into a cycle of negative emotions and allow you to enjoy your new environment.

2. Make a Schedule

One of the best ways to feel at home in a new environment is to establish a routine. This can be as simple as setting a regular time to exercise, or always having coffee and pastry on Sunday mornings. Having a schedule and sticking to it will give you something to look forward to and provide a sense of familiarity in your new surroundings. It can also help you stay organized and productive, which can boost your mood and reduce feelings of homesickness.

Create a Routine That Works for You

Everyone’s routine will look different, so it’s important to find what works best for you. If you’re a morning person, try waking up early and going for a walk or run before starting your day. If you prefer to exercise in the evening, schedule a workout class or go for a walk after dinner. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and make them a regular part of your routine.

Stick to Your Schedule, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

It’s easy to fall out of your routine when you’re feeling homesick or overwhelmed. However, it’s important to stick to your schedule even when you don’t feel like it. This will help you maintain a sense of normalcy and prevent homesickness from taking over your day. Plus, once you start your scheduled activity, you may find that your mood improves and you feel more energized.

3. Find a Familiar Space

When you’re in a new environment, it can be helpful to create a space that feels familiar and comforting. This could be your bedroom, a cozy corner in your apartment, or a local coffee shop. Surrounding yourself with familiar objects and creating a comfortable space can help ease feelings of homesickness.

Bring Some Items from Home

If you’re studying abroad or traveling for an extended period of time, consider bringing some items from home to make your new space feel more familiar. This could be photos, a favorite blanket, or even a scented candle. These small reminders of home can provide a sense of comfort and make your new environment feel more like home.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

In addition to creating a familiar space in your own home, it’s also important to explore your new neighborhood and find places that make you feel at ease. This could be a park, a bookstore, or a local café. Having a few go-to spots in your new city can help you feel more connected to your surroundings and reduce feelings of homesickness.

4. Beat Boredom

One of the main triggers of homesickness is boredom. When you have too much free time on your hands, it’s easy to start thinking about all the things you miss from home. To combat this, try to stay busy and fill your days with activities that you enjoy.

Find a Hobby or Join a Club

One of the best ways to beat boredom is to find a new hobby or join a club. This will not only keep you occupied, but it will also give you the opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests. Whether it’s joining a sports team, taking a cooking class, or learning a new language, finding a new hobby can help you feel more connected to your new environment and prevent homesickness.

Plan Day Trips or Weekend Getaways

Another way to beat boredom and explore your new surroundings is by planning day trips or weekend getaways. This could be as simple as visiting a nearby town or taking a hike in a nearby national park. These mini-adventures can help you break out of your routine and discover new places, which can be exciting and refreshing.

5. Pick Real Life Over Social Media

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to stay connected with our loved ones through social media. While this can be a great way to stay in touch, it can also make us feel more homesick. Seeing photos and updates from home can trigger feelings of nostalgia and longing. To prevent this, try to limit your time on social media and focus on living in the present moment.

Set Boundaries for Social Media Use

It’s important to set boundaries for yourself when it comes to social media use. This could mean limiting your screen time to a certain number of hours per day or only checking social media at specific times. By setting boundaries, you can prevent yourself from constantly comparing your new life to your old one and feeling homesick.

Use Social Media to Stay Connected, Not to Compare

While it’s important to limit your social media use, it can also be a helpful tool for staying connected with your loved ones. Instead of scrolling through your feed and comparing your life to others, use social media to share updates and stay in touch with your friends and family. This will allow you to maintain those connections without getting caught up in feelings of homesickness.

6. Meet New People

One of the best ways to combat homesickness is by making new friends. Having a support system in your new environment can make all the difference in how you adjust to your new surroundings.

Join Local Events or Meetup Groups

A great way to meet new people is by joining local events or meetup groups. This could be a language exchange group, a book club, or a volunteer organization. These groups provide a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and make new friends.

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out

If you’re feeling homesick, don’t be afraid to reach out to your classmates, coworkers, or neighbors. Chances are, they have also experienced homesickness at some point and can offer support and understanding. Plus, making the first move to connect with others can help you feel more confident and less isolated.

7. Take (Lots of) Photos

While it’s important to live in the present moment, taking photos can also be a great way to document your new experiences and create memories. When you’re feeling homesick, looking back at these photos can remind you of all the amazing things you’ve done and the new friends you’ve made.

Create a Photo Album or Scrapbook

To make your photos even more special, consider creating a photo album or scrapbook. This will not only give you something to look back on when you’re feeling homesick, but it can also be a fun and creative activity to do in your free time.

Share Your Photos with Friends and Family

In addition to keeping your photos for yourself, share them with your friends and family back home. This will not only keep them updated on your adventures, but it can also help you feel more connected to them and reduce feelings of homesickness.

8. Make People Come Visit You

Finally, one of the best ways to cure homesickness is by having your loved ones come visit you. Whether it’s your family, friends, or significant other, having familiar faces in your new environment can provide a sense of comfort and make your new home feel more like home.

Plan Ahead and Set Dates

If possible, try to plan ahead and set dates for when your loved ones can come visit you. This will give you something to look forward to and make the time apart more bearable. Plus, having a set date can also motivate you to explore your new surroundings and make the most of your time before your visitors arrive.

Show Them Around Your New City

When your loved ones come to visit, take the opportunity to show them around your new city and introduce them to your new friends. This will not only give you a chance to catch up and spend quality time together, but it can also help you feel more connected to your new environment.

Conclusion

Homesickness is a natural feeling that many people experience when they are away from home. However, with these eight easy tips, you can learn how to cope with homesickness and make your new environment feel more like home. Remember to embrace your homesickness as a reminder of what you care about, create a routine, find familiar spaces, stay busy, and make new friends. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out for support and make the most of your new adventure.