Although moving abroad presents you with new opportunities to further your career or studies, you will also be presented with other challenges that can negatively impact your mental health.
After all, you’ll have to live alone in a new place with a culture you’re barely familiar with. On top of that, you’ll also have to live miles away from family and friends. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for you to keep your mental health in a good space when living in the UK. And here are some of them below.
The folks at UK Solicitor for immigration, who help thousands of people to process their UK Visas, have this wellness advice for those finally move to the UK. Longevity Live Partner Content.
#1: Slowly Adjust to Your New Home Country
As stated above, living in a new country and immersing yourself in a new culture can be pretty daunting. But you don’t have to rush your adjustment period—go ahead and take your time when doing so.
With that said, one good way for you to immerse yourself in British culture is to connect with the locals. You can ask them for the best restaurants and activities to participate in your area, ensuring that you gradually adjust and immerse yourself in your new home.
Moreover, you can also explore the UK whenever you’re free to learn more about the country’s culture. And don’t just settle for the well-known tourist spots in the country. Besides, the UK has various attractions and events. Who knows, you might pick up a new hobby during your travels!
#2: Make Sure to Socialize with Others
Talking with locals isn’t just a great way for you to know more about British culture. There’s a good chance that you can also form friendships with them. Whether it’s your next-door neighbors or people from work, it’ll be nice to have amazing people by your side to keep you from feeling lonely.
In addition, another excellent way to socialize in the UK is to join interest groups or clubs. Aside from making new friends, you also get to indulge in an activity you absolutely enjoy with people who share the same interests.
Aside from befriending the locals, you can also find and connect with fellow ex-pats. It’s a bonus if the ex-pats you meet have adapted successfully to the ex-pat life. Other than comforting and offering you words of encouragement, they can even provide you with valuable advice to adapt to UK life better.
#3: Keep in Touch with Your Loved Ones
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
It’ll be hard to stay connected with your family and friends back home. Besides, time zones aren’t just your only concern. You might also struggle to find the best time to contact them due to your hectic schedule.
But thanks to today’s technology, you can easily keep in touch with your loved ones. Gone are the days when your only form of communication with loved ones from another land was through writing letters. Now, you can send messages or make video calls to your family and friends.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised how a short call or message from a loved one can easily cheer you up during difficult times. So, whenever you can, make sure to talk to your family and friends.
#4: Make Sure to Stay Active
Regular exercise does wonders to your body. Not only does it keep you physically fit, but it also relieves you from feelings of stress. Studies indicate that frequently exercising raises the amounts of endorphins in your body, which are hormones that aid in improving your mood.
Furthermore, your brain also becomes more sensitive to serotonin and norepinephrine. These chemicals are responsible for relieving feelings of depression. Overall, exercising is a fantastic way to keep your body in tip-top shape and care for your mental health.
#5: Find Creative Means to Ward Off Your Homesickness or Loneliness
It’s definitely normal to feel homesick and lonely from time to time, particularly during your first few months in the UK. If talking to a friend isn’t cutting it, you can always resort to creative means to ward off your homesickness and loneliness.
For instance, you can reflect on your journey as an ex-pat by indulging in journaling. You can also ward off your homesickness by bringing or creating sentimental trinkets that will remind you of your home. These include items such as mini-scrapbooks or photo albums. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you to find the best creative method to fend off your negative feelings.
Final Takeaways
There are numerous ways to keep your mental health healthy when living in the UK. As long as you take note of the tips listed above, you should be able to care for your mental health properly no matter how hard things get in your ex-pat life. Lastly, be honest about how you actually feel. That way, you can recognize your problems and address them properly through the right methods.
Main photo by Marcin Nowak on Unsplash
Who is the author?
Patricia Irving is an ex-pat who’s been living in the UK for a while now. While traveling, she realized that mental health is crucial above all else. She shares ideas and tips on how to keep your mind healthy while away from your homeland.
