Homesickness is a common emotional response many people experience, whether it’s after going away for college, moving to a new town or even just a short vacation overseas.
Strong feelings of longing for home right after the moving company leaves your new address in Adelaide have been the subject of many pop culture elements, such as movies, songs, and books. Even celebrities have shared stories about feeling homesick when they’re away from home for work.
But what exactly triggers these feelings that are often so deep that sometimes they manifest physically? Experts reveal that there are four “risk factors” that affect feelings of homesickness, and these are the following:
Attitude
Sometimes, it has a lot to do with your state mind. If you’re already expecting to feel uncomfortable when you move to a new place, chances are you will.
Experience
If you’ve never had the chance to live away from your home before, you’re more prone to missing it as soon as you leave because you’re not used to dealing with an unfamiliar environment.
Personality
If you find it difficult to warm up to new people, this could have a tremendous effect on you deal with changes. For this, you have to work on yourself.
External Factors
Of course, longing for home has a lot to do with how willing you were to move in the first place. Was it inevitable? Were you given a choice? It also depends on how your family members or the people who moved with you respond to the change, too. Understand that you’re not alone.
Many people who had to leave their homes often find it difficult to adjust to their new environment, albeit in varying degrees. Struggling to cope with the situation and missing home are both normal reactions. It may take some time, but you’ll get there. Here are some things you can do:
- Give your new surrounding a chance and explore it whenever you can. It may feel tough at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.
- Remain in contact with your family and closest friends back home. However, keep in mind that staying in contact way too frequently may actually backfire.
- Take the necessary steps to make new acquaintances. They may not be able to replace your friends and family back home right away, but it’s always nice to have people you can talk to and share feelings with. You’ll learn something new from them, too.
- Don’t neglect your health and set up a personal routine. Eat well and exercise daily. Get as much sleep as you can, but try to get up early and be more productive.
When you’re busy and preoccupied with other things, it will be easier to forget about feelings of homesickness. Exercise can be an effective way to bust homesickness.
No matter how much you miss your family, friends, and old home, it’s okay to enjoy your new surroundings and appreciate what it has to offer. Go out and meet other people, and you’ll be able to help them as well. Don’t dwell too much on negative thoughts, but instead, realize how lucky you are to have an opportunity to try something new and grow as an individual.
