“Fighting alone in the world, darkness spreading all over, hiding in a corner, missing the safe place called home.”
When you are far away from your home, you cannot stop missing the warmth and safety that your home provides, and now you are feeling homesick.
You have spent most of your life surrounded by people who love you, care for you, and are always there for you in difficult times.
And, when you are away, living alone in this gigantic world, fighting everyday battles alone, you miss your family, friends, and the safest place in the world where everything was just perfect: home.
Well! You must understand that this is how life works. Nothing can remain the same. As time passes, things change, and we have to adapt to that change.
However, you can move on with a positive attitude and make yourself at home wherever you are by changing your lifestyle.
Let’s discover more about how.
Why do you feel Homesick?
Homesickness is a feeling of missing the comfort, familiarity, and security you used to have. When you are away from your known surroundings, it’s normal for your brain to react. Your brain craves the comfort zones you once had.
According to research-backed facts, nearly 70% of people feel homesick at some point in their lives. This is not just a momentary feeling but an emotional response that can significantly impact your mood and well-being.
When you are homesick, you have this mixed feeling of sadness, anxiety, and even stress, and most of the time, you don’t even know the reason. This is how your brain tries to deal with change.
🎭 Fun Fact
Homesickness is your brain’s way of sending a ‘comfort SOS.’ When you’re away, the anterior cingulate cortex lights up, almost like it’s waving a little emotional flag, signaling that it’s craving the safety and warmth of your familiar surroundings.
Studies show that the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays a role in emotional regulation, becomes more active when you’re homesick. It is responsible for processing the emotional pain of being away and having the strong urge to return to a place of safety and warmth.
The Science Behind Homesickness and Its Emotional Impact
There is a scientific reason behind emotional longing and homesickness. When you enter a new environment, your brain triggers a “fight or flight” response, releasing cortisol, the stress hormone.
The release of cortisol can make you feel anxious and restless. The dopamine pathways are activated when you’re in a familiar setting, which, in the case of unfamiliar environments, are not active, leading to a lack of those feel-good chemicals.
According to some studies, about 50% of people experiencing homesickness also report feeling depressed or anxious. This emotional impact can severely affect your day-to-day life, making it harder to sleep, focus, or even enjoy new experiences.
How to Build a Sense of Home Wherever You Are?
When you are away from home, you cannot replicate your old environment just to feel at home. However, you can build a sense of home where you currently are.
Here are some of the tips that can help cultivate the feeling of comfort and belonging in your present space:
#1: Personalize Your Space
You can start by surrounding yourself with familiar items. This does not mean exactly cluttering your new place with everything you owned back home. It actually means bringing a few meaningful items that can help you feel at home in your new place.
You can bring photos, your favorite blanket, or a piece of art that gives you the sense of comfort you seek. Bringing this change into your new space can create a positive connection in the brain and help reduce the feeling of homesickness.
#2: Establish New Routines
Establishing new routines can become a powerful tool in fighting homesickness. Once you set a new and effective routine, it will give your brain a sense of reliability and control, which plays an important role when everything else feels uncertain.
You can maybe have morning coffee rituals, a weekly call with your friends back home, or an evening walk in your routine. Including these small yet consistent actions will help you make your new place feel more like home.
#3: Connect with Your Surroundings
When you are in a new place and feeling homesick, it becomes essential to form a connection in your new environment. You can start by making new friends, joining a local club, or simply getting to know your neighbor. These simple interactions can help you feel you are a part of the community.
👉 Pro Tips
Pack a “mini-home kit” with a few comforting items like a favorite candle, cozy blanket, or familiar playlist. This small touch can quickly transform any space into a cozy, comforting environment.
According to research, having a strong social support network can significantly decrease feelings of homesickness. Humans are inherently social creatures, and when you are a part of a group, your sense of belonging is fulfilled.
#4: Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
The best thing to accept the new change is to surrender yourself completely and acknowledge your feelings without any judgment. To make this process easier, you can practice mindfulness, which can help you stay in the present moment and reduce the mental burden forcing you to feel homesick.
When you have intense feelings of longing, you must allow yourself to feel them without being overwhelmed. Self-compassion becomes essential here, as you must understand that feeling this way is completely normal and okay.
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SHOP ON AMAZONKeep in mind that homesickness is a sign of love. It proves that you have a strong and meaningful connection that you are missing.
#5: Stay Connected, But Not Too Connected
It is important to maintain a balance when keeping in touch with your loved ones. If you are constantly looking for ways to connect with your previous home via social media or frequent calls, you will not be able to move ahead with your new life, and it will enhance your homesickness.
You can overcome this attachment by allotting specific time to connect with your loved ones. It will allow you time to connect with your current surroundings.
Research indicates that finding a healthy balance between old and new connections can ease the transition and reduce homesickness.
Conclusion
Now that we understand homesickness is a normal emotional state that anyone can experience when they are away from their place of safety and comfort. There are psychological and biological factors working behind this complex state of emotion.
It becomes essential to understand why you are feeling this way and how you can overcome these emotions. By making a few changes and setting new routines, you can create a home-like feeling in your new environment.
You must create an environment in your new place where you feel like you actually belong, not just a temporary stop. Converting your new space into a home is a long journey, but it begins with your efforts.
It is okay to feel homesick sometimes, as it shows that you have built meaningful connections in the past. However, with proper strategies, you can create new and meaningful connections and find comfort in your new surroundings.
Soon, you will be able to discover that home is not just a place; it is a feeling that you can create wherever you go.
“Strength awakened by loneliness, that was suppressed deep, conquering the world alone, that once was asleep.”
Challenge: Create Your Comfort Zone in 5 Steps
Day 1: Set up a cozy corner with a blanket or cushion that reminds you of home.
Day 2: Add a personal touch by placing a few meaningful photos or keepsakes around your space.
Day 3: Create a daily ritual, like enjoying a morning coffee or tea in a special spot.
Day 4: Play your favorite playlist or a soothing scent to evoke a sense of familiarity.
Day 5: Reach out and connect with your surroundings—introduce yourself to a neighbor or explore a local spot.
Reflect at the end of the week on how these small additions have made your space feel more like home.
Source
- The University of Adelaide, South Australia: Coping with homesickness
- University of Northern Colorado: What is Homesickness?
- Expert Online Training Corp: Homesickness at Day and Resident Camps
What scientific processes occur in the brain during feelings of homesickness?
