Keep contact, but don’t rely on it
It’s easier than ever to stay in contact with your loved ones. Technology has allowed people millions of miles away to connect in an instant. The likes of Skype and FaceTime have not only meant that staying in touch with friends and family is really easy, but live video feeds mean that loved ones are practically in the room with you.
That said, while seeing the face of a loved one can be a great comfort, it’s good to put the devices away some times. Too frequent checking of social media and messages from people back home are likely to only worsen your feelings of homesickness.
Broadening the people horizon
If you have moved to a destination popular with other British expats, spending time with people of a similar background and culture can give some much-appreciated comfort, especially when you’ve just moved.
However, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to experiences outside of the expat circle. Learning the language will be a great help if you want to interact with other local inhabitants and doing so can be a rich and rewarding experience, and you may well find you’re glad you did later in life.
You could be a natural Flamenco dancer!
Trying out new activities is a great way to combat homesickness and gives you the chance to expand your knowledge of the world, different cultures and new experiences.
As we have already mentioned, learning the language is a really worthwhile pursuit. Being bi-lingual or even multilingual is a talent not to be sniffed at. It’s great exercise for your mental muscles (with research suggesting that it helps fend off dementia) and it can greatly improve your social confidence.
You could also try developing your cooking skills – why not teach yourself to make popular dishes from the local cuisine? Commit yourself to new and interesting pastimes, even if you’re uncertain about your chances of success, to see who you will meet and what you can learn.
A taster of home can go a long way
Sometimes, you might just miss the creature comforts you previously enjoyed just too much, so the occasional indulgence in home comforts can be a positive thing. Treating yourself to the things you love will help lift your mood.
Make sure your new accommodation feels like home. Decorate the place so that it reflects you, and you won’t ever feel like a stranger in a foreign country.
But be careful not overindulge yourself in things that remind you too much of home. If recreating your old traditions fills you with a tinge of sadness, try establishing fresh ones.
Exploration and exercise for a healthy boost
Every country, town, village, and city will have something interesting and unique about it. And being out in the open and getting some exercise helps create endorphins which can heighten your mood.
Immerse yourself in your surroundings and do all you can to learn about where you’re living. Make a list of places you want to visit – this could include famous restaurants and historical buildings. No need to rush though – take your time to absorb all you can about the place you’re living in.
Keep the money worries at bay
Whatever your particular method for fighting homesickness, it’s really important that you stay on top of your finances while living abroad in your chosen destination.
Whether you’ve made the decision to retire to another country or have had to move for work, Blacktower offers a range of expat financial services to help you manage, protect, and grow your wealth with confidence.
So, if homesickness isn’t the only thing that’s bothering you and you feel you need some further advice on all things relating to wealth management, contact our team of financial advisers today.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
Official figures have revealed that pension funds have plummeted a further £25 million into the red. The fall in bond yields – on which pension funds rely – has increased the pressure on the pots available to support final salary scheme pay-outs. At the end of May, the pension backstop PPF (Pension Protection Fund) revealed that the roughly five and a half thousand pension schemes it monitors have a combined deficit of nearly £295 billion. This is almost £25.5 billion worse than a month earlier.
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