Summary
Homesickness is not just for college students. In fact, homesickness is a perfectly normal feeling. Missing family, friends, pets, food, and even your pillow is a very common experience for travelers of all ages.
While feeling homesick can sometimes come from culture shock (another perfectly normal reaction to being away from home), homesickness is just as likely to occur in your own country as it is at a foreign destination. Missing family, familiar routines, friends, and pets are normal feelings.
Homesickness can make you feel sad, tired, and isolated. It might be challenging to look forward to a travel day when you are missing your loved ones. Given time, however, homesickness normally subsides, especially if you are traveling in a place that is very different from your home.
Accept Your Emotions
Homesickness is normal. You are not a bad traveler if you miss being at home. Instead of berating yourself for your feelings, look objectively at the situation. You are away from home, you miss being at home, and that is okay. It is also alright if your homesickness sticks around for a few days or if you feel like having a good cry. These emotions are entirely normal, too.
Phone Home
E. T. had the right idea. Find a WiFi hotspot and use a smartphone app or Skype to talk with your family. While you may feel sad when you hear their voices, you will also be reassured that they are happy and healthy. They will be supportive if you explain the ups and downs of your trip, and this support will help you manage your feelings of homesickness.
Talk With People
Particularly if you are an extrovert, part of your homesickness may stem from your need to interact with other people. Take a class, go on a short guided tour, stay at a youth hostel, or find some other way to talk with people and recharge your emotional batteries. If you feel comfortable mentioning your homesickness, you may be surprised to find that other travelers understand just how you are feeling; many have experienced homesickness themselves.
Find the Familiar in an Unfamiliar Place
Sometimes we miss something familiar, like a newspaper in our own language, a movie we can understand, or a soft drink with ice in it. Seek out a fast food restaurant, newsstand, foreign language movie theater, or some other place where you can engage in activities just as you would back home. Indulging in familiar activities and foods will remind you that travel is temporary and your home will be waiting when you return.
Spoil Yourself
Treat yourself to something you enjoy. Consider taking a warm bath, enjoying a bar of chocolate, reading a novel, or heading to the prettiest park in town for a leisurely walk. These small acts of self-care can significantly enhance your travel experience.
Get Moving
Exercise can clear your head and motivate you to continue your journey. If your hotel or cruise ship has a gym or swimming pool, consider adding a light workout to your daily routine. Walking and bicycling are also excellent low-impact ways to get some exercise.
Create a Routine
Some travelers miss the structure of their regular lives when they are on the road. They feel out of control without their normal routines. Take charge of your personal routine by incorporating some of the things you would typically do at home, such as exercising or reading, at the same time each day. This sense of structure can provide comfort.
Look for Humor
Rediscover the habit of smiling by finding something funny to listen to, watch, or read. Comics, books, YouTube videos, humor websites, and TV or radio shows can bring a smile to your face. Facing homesickness becomes more manageable when you recognize that you have not lost the ability to enjoy laughter.
Change Your Plans
If your homesickness becomes truly debilitating, consider adjusting your trip. There is no reason to endure an emotionally taxing travel experience. While this approach might not be feasible if you are on a cruise or a guided tour, it could be a practical solution if you are on a long, independent vacation.
