Whether it is a month, 6 months, or even a year homesickness will strike during our tour abroad; it’s only natural. Missing something that you have been a part of for eighteen years or more can be a little overwhelming, but it isn't cause to go home.

There are many reasons for being homesick, I guess you could call them the symptoms. But
just as the doctor prescribed, we want to give you the remedies to make it go away.

1. Creature Comforts

These are the things we are used to. Maybe it's food (I miss Grill'd) or a place we often visit. For me it was my local beach. But remember that getting out of our comfort zone is one of the reasons we moved over here. It both challenges and excites us. Back home we constantly ate and did the same things, leading us into a repetitive rut. Our routine is a struggle to break out of,but we’ll be better because of it. So embrace all these new prospects and soon you may be enjoying things you couldn't of imagined. (Lambrini anyone?)

2. Mental Health

Let's get serious for a moment. One in four will suffer a mental health problem each year. This is when we need to look out for each other every day. Homesickness is one of the leading causes for both depression and anxiety, both during and after your trip. From someone who suffers depression don't let it dampen your experience. See if you can convey your usual coping mechanism into your new environment. This could be yoga, the gym, or a specific person you chat to; these can all be changed with the new setting. For those who aren't suffering keep an eye out for anyone who appears to be struggling, just a small chat, wave or smile can make anyones day.

3. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)

Social media nowadays can be an absolute killer. Along with Facebook, Snapchat, and
Instagram comes the idea that if you haven't posted a picture of the event/activity you went to then it doesn’t even count. Nothing can be more annoying than being in a London winter while seeing the summer festivals, beaches, hikes, camping/road trips that your friends and family are enjoying back home. But don’t let this detract from your experience. You will have to remind yourself to put things in perspective. You are living through a sort of winter that people could only dream of. Use the season to your advantage. Travel to places that snow, experience a white Christmas. At the end of the day, you need to live in your own moment and not someone
else's. You are here because you chose to be here.

4. Usual Support Network

One of the problems I had when coming over here was feeling like I had to decide between here or home (problems of an over thinker). Do I start a new support network here replacing the people at home, or stick with the one I know and keep new friends at a safe distance? Well the answer is you can do both. For some stupid reason, I always thought if I continuously talked to my friends and family back home that I wouldn't be embracing everything I was experiencing here, but if I focused on my new friends that I would be cutting out the people who have supported me most my life. A balance is all you need, make that video call to a loved one, tell people the stories that you have experienced in London, incorporate one another; synergy is key.

5. Things Just Aren't Going Your Way

You've had a rough day, or maybe a series of unfortunate events. It's ok we all have them, but it is how we deal with them that make or break you. I always like to say you choose your own luck, and I still believe that to be true. Sometimes it is just a bad head space that makes you feel like you are down on your luck. Just remember that good things are always around the corner. Something that isn't going to effect you in 5 days should stress you for more than 5 minutes. It is easier said than done, but is going to be OK.

Most importantly just remember we are all here for the same reason, and we want everyone to have the best possible experience they can. Talk to people if you are feeling homesick, it's a long plane ride home and it would be a worse feeling regretting going home and missing out on something incredible.