How To Cope With Homesickness In A Foreign Land

Every time I log in to a social networking site, almost all of my friends who are far from their love ones are complaining of being home sick that they would even burst into tears so often. They would even send some private messages expressing how bad they feel and how often they cry, longing for the hugs of the people they have left. Well, I know exactly how it feels to miss the people that one loves. Being far from home my self, I have felt the devastating and heart breaking effects of home sickness. However, it was easier for me, because when I left home, I was still young and don’t have my own family. So I did not have to worry about kids and husband. But of course I missed the people that I have left behind, like my mom, my sister and brother. Although my dad was with me, I still felt the longing to be where I used to be. I could just imagine the others who do not have anyone with them, most of all if they even have kids of their own and their spouse need to stay with their kids.

Truly, being far away from home is one of the most difficult things that one could ever experience most especially if one is not used to it. This is a reality that affects many people who has so many reasons why they need to be far. Being home sick may not only mean missing the ones we love especially when we are in a foreign land where everything is new. We may even miss the foods that we eat, and even the ambience of the usual street that we pass by everyday back at home. It is when we are far that we realize the essence of what we always say- “Home sweet home…”

Being home sick is not just a matter of shooing away the blues; it takes so much courage and tears to cope with it. Here are a few ways to cope while being far from home:

Before leaving home:

• Accept the fact that you need to be far and keep in mind the best reasons why you are doing it. Never forget that what you may be doing is what will make your life and the life of the ones you love better.
• Realize that being home sick is a natural feeling whenever you get separated from your love ones and familiar surroundings. So before you leave, prepare yourself and know that you will feel that way.
• One of the many reasons of home sickness is the sudden change in an environment. You may suffer some culture shock, so before leaving, acquaint your self to some facts about your destination. Surf the web and read as many information as you can so that you will know what you will be expecting.
• Learn the language of your new environment. You don’t have to be fluent but at least learn the basics.
• Expect that as you arrive to your destination, you may feel terribly home sick, which may subside after a month or so, but may recur again in several weeks or months.
• Talk about how you feel to your closest love one or friend before leaving.
• Carry pictures of your love ones and friends with you. The size that you can take wherever you go.
• Do not forget to keep a handy list of your love ones’ and friends’ contact information.
• Kiss and hug as often as you like the ones you will be leaving behind.

While you are far:

• Keep an open mind; never expect that things and people are the same as they are at home. Remember that YOU are NOT AT HOME.
• Be willing to experience new things, and meet new people. Explore your new environment, go to their museum or parks.
• Never compare your home with your new environment. No place is better or worst than the other; it’s just that they are not exactly the same.
• Keep a journal where you can write or express all your feelings on. You can keep this to yourself or share it to others that you can be comfortable sharing it with.
• Save some time to pamper yourself. Like exercising, walking at the park, or shaping and trimming your eye brows. Spend some bubble time at the bath with your most favorite liquid soap and create a relaxing ambiance by lighting a scented candle.
• Do the things that you wanted to do for your self back at home but you just don’t have enough time to do.
• Send letters and post cards to your friends and love ones via snail mail.
• Make the most of what the evolution of communication technology can offer. Chat with your love ones through the web, text or call them often or send some messages at their e-mail.
• Socialize with the people at your new environment as much as possible. This will help you adjust and fade the blues. Remember to socialize in a good way, which means that your activities with these new people in your life will not include alcohol or drug abuse or anything that may ruin your life or endanger your health and well being.
• Establish new friendships where you can feel your sense of belongingness. Surely, you will always find people of your own kind, like having the same nationality. Talk to these people about your problems of being home sick, surely, they have great things to say that may help you.
• Take a walk at the mall and if you have enough cash, buy things for the people that you miss.
• Take pictures of your self and the new people in your life, and even the places that you have been and share these photos with the people that you miss when you get home or send them through mail.
• Share your hobbies and interests with the new people in your life and explore your environment. Take advantage of enjoying the things that your new environment can offer which are not found in your old environment.
• Form bonds with others whom you share the same interests, like sports, music or the arts.
• Do not spend much time alone and keep your self busy. This will help you avoid focusing on your feelings of home sickness.
• Take care of your self and give it time to adapt. Always monitor your adjustment progress. By the end of the fourth month or at the fifth month, you should be feeling better.
• Try not to go home in less than six months, unless you feel really depressed. Give your self time to adjust and keep in mind that there is a risk that you may regret going home too. You may also suffer feelings of sadness as you readjust in your own home land. So, DON’T GO HOME as long as you are coping fairly well and you can do the usual task that you should do everyday. Give your best shot to adjust. Do the things that you need to do and remember the reasons why you left home, so that you may someday feel a sense of self worth and self actualization.
• Contact a professional if your sadness affects you too much that it can make you feel sick and may be unable to do your daily task.
• Spend much time in prayers and always keep a positive mind set- that you can make it through anything because God strengthens you and you have left home not only for your self but most of all, for the people that you hold most dear to your heart.

These are just one of the many ways to fade away the blues while you are far. One thing to always keep in mind- always take care of your self while being far because so many people who truly loves and care for you are waiting back at home to be with you again. Near or far from your love ones, you know that you are living for a cause. Keep the faith and keep it sturdy!

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