As the weather changes from warm to cold, our emotions start to change as well. Wintertime often brings depression and weakened mental health, and if your an out of state student, that can be hard to battle without being at home. Even though both Thanksgiving and Winter break are coming up, the weeks leading up can still be difficult, so here are some things you can try when you’re feeling homesick.
Start working out
Exercise is obviously healthy for your body, but it can also be healthy for your mind. Through the release of endorphins throughout the body, exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety. Working out is also an overall mood booster, so it could improve your mood on a day-to-day basis. Since exercise is possible in so many different ways, it can be a fun distraction that helps your body and mind if you find what you like to do!
Make comfort food
Comfort food reminds everyone one of home, especially certain meals or snacks that were unique to individual homes! Asking a family member for your favorite recipe and making it could be a good way to find comfort in being homesick. Even though something reminding you of home could make you miss home even more, it will at least provide temporary comfort in-between breaks!
do home activities at college
Most people have routines or certain things they like to do when they’re home, so finding a way to do those things at college could help prevent home sickness. Whether it’s watching a certain show, or going to a certain place to eat, doing that with friends can help fill the void of wanting to be home. Even though it won’t be the exact same, it will definitely help you feel better!
Overall, relying on a support system, whether its with friends you have made at school, or over the phone with your parents, is extremely important. Talking to them about being homesick could also be helpful. As an out of state student, I also express how homesick I get sometimes, and I do these things to help often. So, I hope these tips help other out of state students!