Homesickness: Homesickness

The homesickness or homesickness is an emotional state that can affect sleep, appetite, concentration and general health. It takes place when you are away from your family or any environment you feel comfortable in and separated from.

In reality, homesickness is a form of sadness, or in some cases depression, that arises when you are in a new place. It is a natural state of mind that arises when you have to face new situations and great longing. You simply miss your routine and your loved ones.

Homesickness can be positive, however. This is confirmed by a study carried out by the University of Southampton: “nostalgia encompasses positive feelings, increases self-esteem, helps develop social relationships and relieves existential anxiety”. However, the sensation can be very unpleasant if we do not know how to deal with it. So, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the symptoms and how you can fight this homesickness.

Homesickness or homesickness

Although everyone is susceptible to episodes of nostalgia at any age, younger people are normally more vulnerable to this syndrome. Here’s why:

Children and teens are generally not so emotionally independent.
Young people have not had much experience in new situations.

However, people of all ages can suffer from homesickness. But what are its symptoms?

Symptoms of homesickness

Homesickness syndrome can affect a person cognitively, behaviorally, emotionally, and physically. We will now see the symptoms that appear in these four categories:

1. Cognitive level

Continuous thoughts for the country of origin
Negative and inadequate thoughts
Idealization of the home

2. Behavioral level

Loss of concentration
Frequent episodes of crying
Difficulties eating and sleeping
Withdrawal from social life
Inability to get into a routine we like

3. Emotional level

Sadness
Solitude
Mood swings
Anger
Anxiety
Lack of energy and motivation

4. Physical level

Headache
Nausea
Muscle tension

Five ways to cope with homesickness

As you can see, the symptoms of homesickness can become particularly bothersome. We are therefore going to give you five tips for dealing with them.

1. Go outside and explore the surroundings

The more you familiarize yourself with your new surroundings, the less difficult it will be to adapt. We therefore recommend that you participate in activities that take place at this new location. If you start to feel at home, the nostalgia will go away!

2. Keep in touch with your loved ones

There is currently a very wide range of contact possibilities to maintain good communication and regularly talk to your friends and family. Even if you are abroad, these technologies allow you to call them, send them messages or view them through video calls.

As soon as you feel lonely, you can talk to them. With a call, you will see that all bad feelings quickly disappear!

3. Follow your passions

Living in another country does not mean having to forget your passions. For example, if you like to cycle or run and if the weather allows it, continue to do these types of activities even if at the beginning you have no one to accompany you.

Practicing your passions can be a great way to get to know new people. Thanks to the Internet, there are thousands of ways to get to know people who are interested in the same things as you.

4. Limit social networks

If you wake up every day by logging in directly to your social networks and watching what your loved ones are posting, you will certainly feel nostalgia.

It is therefore positive to distance yourself from social networks and the publications of your friends or family. To fully appreciate your new place of living, you need to disconnect from your previous life (or, at least, in part).

5. Have a positive attitude

Of course, the feeling of longing involves many negative feelings. But don’t let sadness and unease control your mind. Realize that this is a temporary phase and things will improve as you get used to this new environment.

Thinking positively is one of the keys to doing this. Doing this will make it easier to make new friends and be more proactive. Positive moods prompt you to go out and seek contact with other people.

Finally, keep one thing in mind: If you’ve made a lifestyle change and stepped out of your comfort zone, it’s okay to take a little getting used to. You will succeed in crossing this milestone!