How to deal with homesickness: tips and strategies

Leaving home to study at university is the start of a big adventure. There are new people to meet and friends to make, favourite cafes to discover, local landmarks to explore, and day trips to plan.  

Whether you’re moving from a town in the country or another country entirely, though, this new adventure can follow a bumpy road for some of us. It’s tough to leave family, friends and the familiar comforts of home – especially if uni is your first time moving away. 

If you’ve been hit by those pangs of homesickness, or you’re anxious that it might happen to you when you move, just remember that homesickness is a natural feeling. After all, they say that home is where the heart is – and we tend to leave a lot of heart behind when we move away.  

The good news, though, is that while dealing with homesickness can be tough, it’s almost never a permanent pain, and there are plenty of people and resources here to help you through the challenges.  

With that in mind, let’s explore more about what homesickness feels like, and some techniques for how to deal with it. 

What does feeling homesick feel like? 

Dealing with homesickness starts with recognising what it feels like (or what the symptoms look like, if you’re trying to help someone else with homesickness).  

One study describes homesickness as ‘distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home’.  

It’s a description that reflects the pain homesickness can cause – because homesickness can feel like distress or impairment. It mostly feels like mental distress, with common symptoms like sadness, loneliness, crying, and difficulty concentrating. Homesickness can also make people feel less settled at university and less socially satisfied. 

At its worst, homesickness might lead to depression-like symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association says that severe homesickness can be classified as an ‘adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood’, while further research notes symptoms of depression and panic attacks. 

Can being homesick make you physically sick? 

Homesickness is not a mental illness as such, but sufferers can experience some similar mental health symptoms, as detailed above. And, as with mental illnesses like depression, the symptoms of homesickness can sometimes feel physical sickness, too. 

Some common physical symptoms of homesickness include: 

• Tiredness  
• Muscle tension 
• Insomnia 
• Headaches 
• Aches and pains 
• Intestinal complaints. 

These symptoms won’t be present for everyone, but it’s a good reminder to be aware of your own body and look after yourself when dealing with homesickness. 

How do you get over homesickness?  

The good news about homesickness is that it generally goes away with time. That being said, there are plenty of things you can do to help you deal with feelings of homesickness.  

1. Stay in touch with home
   Missing home is especially hard when all your friends, family, and familiar haunts are a long way away – something international students know particularly well. Fortunately, technology can help to bridge that gap. If you’re struggling to deal with homesickness, make sure you keep in touch with the people you miss. Schedule regular phone or video calls, start a group chat, send photos of yourself, play video games online with friends – it all helps dull the pain of missing home. 
2. Find some friends
   Using technology to stay in touch with home is a great idea, but it shouldn’t take the place of making new connections. Catching up with classmates for a study session or a coffee, reaching out to other people from the same area as you, or heading along to university events are good ideas to help you settle in. 
3. Get physical
   Physical exercise isn’t just good for the body – it’s good for the brain, too. Hitting the gym, joining a sports team, riding a bike or even just walking regularly can help you deal with those negative feelings that come with homesickness. 
4. Join a club or society
   Uni life is more than just lectures and classes – there’s a big, social world to explore, too. Getting involved in a university club or society is a fun way to meet people, pursue your passions, and avoid homesickness. Whether you’re interested in acting, love a bit of social running or want to find some fellow chess lovers, a club is a great way to find your feet while you’re away from home. 
5. Treat yourself well
   Sometimes, experiencing negative feelings means we don’t look after ourselves as well as we should. We might be eating poorly, not getting enough sleep or drinking too much – all things that can make us feel even worse. Homesickness can’t be cured by getting to bed on time or eating a healthy meal, but these things can certainly help us feel a bit better.
6. Speak with someone
   When things aren’t going your way, remember that there are people here to help. Dealing with homesickness feels different for everyone and, if you’re struggling with poor mental health and all the negatives that go along with it, consider chatting with a professional. Deakin offers free and confidential access to psychologists for all Australian students. Sometimes, even just talking about your feelings can help.
   
   

Does homesickness ever go away?  

When you’re in the middle of a tough spot, it’s not always easy to see a way out. The good news is that homesickness usually goes away with time. It can sometimes take a while to adjust to a new place or a different routine – and not to mention being physically far from  your friends, family and the comforts of home – but you’ll get there. Just remember that help dealing with homesickness is always available. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline 13 11 14.  

Deakin after-hours mental health support: Call 1300 239 002