Tip of the Iceberg: Dealing with Holiday Homesickness

Posted on Monday, November 25th, 2019

 

Many students won’t be going home over the Christmas holidays. Even though it’s a celebratory time, it can also be a lonely time, whether you’re from Montreal, Mumbai, or somewhere in between. Without your studies to distract you, how can you ward off holiday homesickness?

Preventing Holiday Homesickness

Sometimes, students are so focused on getting through exams that holiday homesickness isn’t on their radar at all. You may be surprised if you find yourself feeling low after a couple of days.

  • Try to plan things to look forward to over vacation– make yourself a bucket list. There’s so much going on in Ottawa over the holidays that you can find fun things to get out and do!
  • Message loved ones back home and set-up times to chat.
  • Ask acquaintances in your classes to see if anyone else will be in the same boat and suggest meeting up over the break. It can be a great time to strengthen new connections and bond over shared circumstances.

Coping with Low-Key Holiday Homesickness

Mild homesickness can involve feeling nostalgic about things that remind you of your community, often thinking of home, being more easily irritated, and feeling more sad or anxious than usual.

Remember that it’s normal to feel homesick, especially if you come from a close-knit family or have many close friends back home, so give yourself time to adjust.

  • Keep in touch with the people you miss
  • Explore Ottawa
  • Cook or eat comforting food from home
  • Look for light gifts to mail back home.

Practice self-care by doing activities or hobbies you enjoy and that were part of your old routine.

Coping with Intense Holiday Homesickness

Intense homesickness can manifest as constant thoughts of home, feeling hopeless and distressed, and avoiding activities and other people. Unlike mild homesickness, it’s hard to distract yourself from, and it can interfere with your daily functioning.

Ask yourself the question, ‘if things were better, what would that look like?’.

  • Write a list of positive moments and things you like about your new home.
  • Take every opportunity to connect with others, but try not to talk constantly to people back home, and don’t stay in your room all the time.
  • Commit to getting out and trying one new thing each day, such as walking around a new neighbourhood or trying a new takeout place, and take pictures to share with the people you miss.
  • If you feel really low or it lasts into the new semester, don’t ignore it. Take action by telling others that you’re feeling homesick. Good2Talk provides professional counselling to students 24/7.
  • Remind yourself that holiday homesickness is temporary.

Check out these apps and online tools for additional support.

Good luck,

– Eliza Brown, Counsellor at Algonquin College


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