Moving away from your native home can bring about a condition known as homesickness. Missing home is a natural stage that many people go through when moving to a new city or environment. It affects people who leave behind family and friends to begin new lives elsewhere, as well as those who leave home to move to university or college. There a few simple steps that can be taken to ease the pain.
Homesickness is more a state of mind than a physical condition. If, however, the feeling is allowed to persist, it can bring about symptoms such as anger and depression. The confusion and bewilderment felt in a new environment can leave a person longing for the simpler home life he or she once knew.
One of the best ways to avoid feeling homesick is to integrate yourself as fully as possible into your new way of life. If you have taken up new employment, attend social functions or join sports teams associated with your work community. Making new friends is the easiest way to combat the feeling alone and missing home.
One of the best ways to meet people is through work. When working in a large city, you might find that a number of your co-workers are from different countries. They may be going through the same thing you are, and socializing after work hours is a great way to cope with feeling homesick.
Simply staying busy will enable you to keep your mind active so that it does not preoccupy itself with thoughts of home. If you have moved to a new city, take the time to get to know your new environment. By exploring the city and finding new places, you can often lose any fear you have. Find a coffee shop that you can make your regular place, and people will soon get to know you and welcome you back.
Check the local newspapers for events in your area. If you have difficulty meeting people, then attending night classes in a subject you are interested in may help. If in a foreign country, make efforts to learn the language and immerse yourself in the new culture. Feeling homesick is sometimes linked to culture shock, and the more you immerse yourself in the new culture, the less out of place you should feel.
Feeling homesick is similar to feeling loss for the life you have left behind, but family and friends are no more than a phone call away. You can always keep in touch through regular mail or the Internet. Your family and friends will always be happy to hear from you and even happier if a visit to your new city is extended.