8 Tips On How To Stop Homesickness For Long Term Travel

If you’re travelling long term, in a completely different environment, homesickness is bound to hit at some point. It may happen when you least expect it but when it does hit, it’s important to have a few key tricks and tools up your sleeve. That way you can carry on your adventure with minimum impact. 

Several things can trigger homesickness. It could be seeing your friends on Instagram enjoying a night out back at home. It could be the craving for your favourite home cooked meal. It could be that you just miss your own bed and your usual routine at home. The most important thing to understand is that no matter how bad homesickness can be – the tears, the sadness, the FOMO – it can be overcome and is usually only a passing feeling.

These are a few tried and tested tips I’ve picked up over the years of travelling and holidays. These tips to beat homesickness will hopefully get you through safe and sound and back on your long term travels in no time.

And, if you’re really struggling, speak to someone. Go back home if you have to. The world will always be there for you.

How To Stop Homesickness On Your Long Term Travels

Go To A Familiar Café

One of the great things about travelling is trying out new places. However, it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re travelling solo. Going somewhere familiar, even if it’s a Starbucks or McDonalds can work wonders on beating homesickness.

I’ve been to Starbucks in Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Miami all because I needed something that felt familiar. I didn’t have to think too much about what to order, I could grab my favourite snack from home and even the decor was comforting. The views from some Starbucks across the world are pretty spectacular too.  

Doing this just lets you enjoy being present for a little while. You don’t have to think too much about making a decision, it gives you a break. And there’s no shame in it either if it gets you through homesickness.

Book Something Exciting

The whole point of travelling is to have new experiences and these new experiences may just be the turning point to get you away from the homesickness you’re feeling. Don’t sit around the hostel, hotel or Air BnB. Don’t stay in the little comfort zone you might have created for yourself. Get out there, go on that trip down the coast, book that skydive, do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. In the words of Nike, just do it. 

Read More: 7 Of The Best Beaches In Mallorca To See This Summer

Keep In Touch With Friends And Family

Don’t underestimate the power of a little FaceTime or phone call with friends or family. You can tell them you’re feeling homesick but you don’t have to. However, family and friends can usually pick up on these things and I bet they’ll be supportive if they know you’re missing home.

They may offer words of encouragement. They’ll tell you you’re not missing out on anything – although social media may make you think otherwise. And they’ll catch you up on everything happening back at home. 

Call family and friends or keep in touch as much as you need to. If you’re travelling long-term, it can take some adjusting to and the people that know you best can help you stop homesickness.

Take Time Out For Yourself

If you’re travelling solo or travelling long term, the likelihood is that you’ll be surrounded by people A LOT of the time. Whether you’re staying in hostels, going on group tours, there will be people around you almost constantly. That’s why it’s so important to take time out for yourself occasionally. 

Get that book you’ve been wanting to finish and go read it on the beach. Visit that must-see sight that no one else wants to see. Go have a nap if that’s what you want to do. Go for a walk around the new city you’re living in. Just take some time out for yourself.

Be Social and Spontaneous

On the opposite end of the above advice, it’s also important to connect with people especially when you’re travelling long term. Travelling can be overwhelming and for some of us it can be easy enough to keep on the edges of seemingly close friendship groups. It can be easy to stay in the hostel room where it’s quiet or make excuses when you’re invited places by new people.

BUT, push yourself. Say yes when your room buddies are going to a new bar. Drinks on the hostel rooftop may lead to you finding some forever friends. You might find your dream job from one chance conversation with a new dorm mate. You never know what experiences come out from being social and spontaneous, no matter how hard it might seem at first. 

There will be other people feeling the same as you, so take baby steps, but take those steps to meet new people.

Go With The Flow. Drop The Plan.

It’s easy when you’re travelling to have an idea of how you want everything to go. You might have everything planned out. Everythings booked and you know where you need to be and when. Although this is great and can be a huge help in your first couple of weeks of long term travel, it can easily become a hindrance. And when things don’t go to plan, it can be easy to go back to the safety net of home. All it might take though is a change in mindset. 

Why not go with the flow a little more because sometimes things don’t go to plan for a reason. Maybe there’s a better plan waiting to unfold. Going with the flow allows space for other adventures to take place. You don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity because you have every day planned down to a tee.

Read More: 4 Relaxing Day Trips In Rhodes

Find A Friend From Your Home Country

The key on how to stop homesickness can be as simple as speaking to someone about things back at home. Having someone who you can chat to could be just the tonic you need. It’s amazing talking to people from all around the world while travelling but it’s incredible how comforting chatting about a good old Yorkshire Pudding or your favourite sports team can be. It’s like a massive, warm security blanket that gets you through tough times.

Start Doing Something You Do At Home

Maybe it’s exercise, painting, writing, photography…it’s easy to get out of a routine while travelling. Even doing one thing that’s in your home routine can stop homesickness. It brings a bit of your “old life” into your “new life”.

Did you used to run a lot? Then go on a jog around your new home. Are you into photography? Take amazing new pictures of your new place and make everyone on Instagram jealous of your new adventure. It might just be something as simple as taking your vitamins in the morning or buying your favourite moisturiser that can help the homesickness.

What are your top tips on how to stop homesickness? These tips might be for long term travel, or even just if you’re on a holiday!