While you might think of joining a gym or a sports team to keep your body in good health when you move abroad, mental health often gets overlooked. While an emotional toll is to be expected, you can take some steps to keep your mind healthy and positive during a potentially tumultuous time.
Mental preparation
When you think of preparing for your move, you likely think of packing and saying goodbye to friends and family. However, mental preparation is also important. It's very easy to get wrapped up in the physical side of things, such as visa applications and sorting out accommodation, and to forget that you need to take some time to prepare yourself for the change that is about to occur. Take some time to look into things such as the lifestyle, the culture, and maybe the level of integration expats experience in your chosen country. If you have visited the country before, you can perhaps think about how your lifestyle will fit in your new home. It can be both exciting and daunting to start a new life abroad, and taking some time to think about it before you go can help you manage your expectations.
It takes time to adapt
Ideally, you catch your flight, move into your new place, and you're sipping a beer in a pub or a cocktail on the beach the same day. In reality, though, it can take a while to adjust to your new surroundings and perhaps the new culture. If you expect to get into the swing of things straight after you move, you are bound to be disappointed. Don't feel anxious or worried if you don't find yourself surrounded by friends going out every evening right at the start. You should be prepared for the fact that in the beginning, it may be somewhat isolating, especially if you are in a country where another language is spoken.
It takes time to get into a routine – instead of going to the gym in the morning, it may be more convenient to go for a run in the park after work, or you may be doing more cooking than you're used to if there aren't as many restaurants as you're used to. It may take awhile to make friends at work or in your neighbourhood. Trying to rush the process may lead to disappointment, so enjoy the exploration phase. Be willing to dine alone at new restaurants or take the time just to walk around where you live and see what's there.
Establish a support network
Whether you are moving abroad with your family or by yourself, it can be a lonely experience at first. You may not know anyone in your new country, or you may not immediately find other families in your local area. Whilst you should be ready for this, and perhaps plan some things to make the most of this time (such as family days out before the children start spending all their time with their new friends), you can also be proactive in building a network around you to provide support during the good and the bad. Keeping in touch with people from home is important, but you shouldn't solely depend on them to provide support.
Visiting expat forums and joining local groups can help you meet people who are going through or have gone through the same experience. There may also be residents who you work with or live in your area that can help you adjust to the country, so being friendly will certainly help you put your best foot forward when it comes to making friends. Those who have lived in the country for long periods of time or have grown up there will be able to give you an even better understanding of your new home.
Finding a balance
As with finding a routine, it can be hard to establish a balanced lifestyle at first. On the one hand, you may throw yourself head first into enjoying your new home, which may involve going out a lot and meeting new people. On the other hand, you may delve deep into your work, spending time you have to yourself on work and little to no time exploring what your new home has to offer. Neither of these is ideal, and both will have an impact on other parts of your life. However, it can be difficult at the beginning to establish a balance. Immersing yourself in something when you first move can help you put off the need to adjust and find a new routine, but this can be damaging to both your mental and physical health in the long term.
Try and separate your work and home life as far as you can. If you find yourself with some downtime, instead of opening your laptop, take a walk or go out for dinner. If you find yourself constantly out and about, trying to do it all, take a bit of time to yourself. This balance can extend to other parts of your life. If you were a keen cook before, and find yourself ordering in a lot in your new country (be it because of anxiety about the language barrier, or not knowing where to find the right ingredients), try and change this. Ask the people you work with about local markets or supermarkets in your area and look up some recipes that use the local produce.
What about you? How do you ensure good mental health while living abroad? What would you say is the biggest challenge of life abroad? Leave us your comments below.
