According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. What about wellness, especially when you're living thousands of miles away from your home, your family, and everything that used to be part of your everyday life? Expat.com had a look at how expatriates define wellness according to a study carried out by Aetna International insurance.
Greater career prospects
It's no secret that many expatriates choose to move abroad for better career prospects. Even though formalities relating to moving abroad can be quite long and tedious – except in the case of intra-company transfers where employers usually take care of everything – moving abroad is often sought out for its benefits, such as more attractive salaries and higher living standards compared to your home country. And that's not all! For some, it's also about putting forward their qualifications, skills, and professional experiences which have not been valued thus far. For trailing spouses, on the other hand, it can be an interesting opportunity to study futher, try new projects, and have better access to the international labour market. In short, moving abroad opens the doors to a whole world of opportunities that perhaps aren't available back home.
Better quality of life
If you have chosen to move abroad, whether alone or with your family, you're probably looking for better quality of life. Besides exciting career prospects, many others issues such as housing, cost of living, living standards, infrastructure, access to healthcare and education, as well as personal safety, contribute in a significant way to wellness for expatriates. Unlike popular belief, wellness is not just about treating yourself at the spa. For many, wellness is about having a better work-life balance which allows them enjoy leisure activities, nature, and all the events and festivals taking place in their new country. In many countries, expatriates can even afford to hire a helper to take care of their house, cooking, and even watch over the children, allowing the parents a chance to relax and enjoy life.
Access to the outdoors
Wellness, with a doubt, also involves good physical health. However in most places, the gym is the most popular method of staying in shape, due to weather conditions and the surrounding environment. For a lot of expats however, having the opportunity to keep fit while simultaneously enjoying the outdoors is a big bonus. When choosing their next destination, many expatriates pay particular attention to climate, natural environment, and the outdoors. Honestly, wouldn't you be tempted to escape your home country's cold and gray seasons for a warmer climate? Expatriate families particularly prefer a place where children can enjoy the outdoors, including parks, lakes, rivers, beaches where they can relax and enjoy nature. Air quality and access to leisure activities such as mountain or forest hiking, sports, etc., definitely have contribute positively effects on expat wellness.
Fair health care
When moving abroad, access to healthcare can sometimes be a major concern. In general, expatriates tend to focus on immediate issues such as accommodation, finance and red tape, thinking worrying less about healthcare services. Very often, expatriates think that healthcare is related to a country's infrastructure, development, and prosperity – which isn't the case. Countries like Denmark, Sweden, Canada and the United Kingdom have some of the best healthcare systems in the world. But what about the USA, for example? Many expatriate families in the USA have been complaining not only about long waiting times but also about the cost of healthcare and insurance claims and issues. With misconceptions about healthcare systems, you're very likely to end up either pleasantly surprised or profoundly disappointed. This is one of the reasons why expatriates would rather turn to the private healthcare system with their expat health insurance.
Exposure to new languages and cultures
Since we're in the era of global mobility, openness to cultural differences is becoming more significant than ever. More and more expat families stress on the importance of raising their children in a multicultural environment and international lifestyle as a step forward. Discovering new cultures in complete immersion when they're still young will definitely help in the future as they, in turn, set on a new adventure abroad. For others, giving their children the opportunity to learn one or more foreign languages also contributes to wellness. While opening the doors to the international labour market, exposure to different languages and cultures makes it easier for expats to adapt to other places around the world.
Mindfulness
Expatriates recognise that being mindful helps a lot while living abroad. Keep in mind that moving abroad can have a significant impact not only on your health but also on your lifestyle and wellness. Your success will above all depend on your willpower and your perception of the expat life. Mindfulness involves understanding yourself and assessing your expectations, and the ability to accept change to avoid disappointment and depression. All you need is to be curious, focus on the positive side of things, and learn to appreciate every single moment of your new life abroad. While some achieve wellness through yoga or meditation, others simply prefer to go for a walk in the park and enjoy some fresh air.
How far do you agree with these? Feel free to share your views on expatriate wellness by leaving a comment below.
