Homesickness. It is unpleasant as we reflect deeply on what we cannot have. Homesickness is a discomfort from leaving a familiar environment and entering a new one, emphasizing missing your home (Van Tilburg et al., 1996). You often feel a sense of sadness, and you might also have physical symptoms (Van Tilburg et al., 1996). Immigrating to a new country can cause homesickness, especially when you cannot visit home as often as you would like. Homesickness for immigrants is normal, and our quiz below can help you determine whether you have it so that you can take action.

Truthfully, you can feel homesickness at any age or point in your life (MITMedical, n.d.). You might experience headaches, stomachaches, and feel like crying (MITMedical, n.d.). Children may experience some anxiety or depression (Demetriou et al., 2021), and adults may experience significant distress (Van Tilburg et al., 1999). See your doctor if your physical symptoms exceed what you feel is typical.

Who is this quiz for?

This quick and efficient questionnaire is tailored for individuals who suspect they might be grappling with homesickness symptoms.

The questions below are intended to assist you in evaluating whether you might benefit from extra support and guidance for your homesickness symptoms.

A mental health expert can also assist in determining if your concerns could be indicative of homesickness and provide recommendations for necessary interventions

Is this accurate?
This online screening tool is not intended as a definitive diagnostic instrument for homesickness, nor is it a substitute for a professional assessment. However, you can use this quiz for self-assessment purposes to keep track of your emotional state. It may also serve to communicate changes in your symptoms to your healthcare provider during follow-up visits. 
Always remember that only a qualified medical or mental health professional, such as a doctor, can assist you in determining the most appropriate course of action for homesickness.

See our quiz below, informed by Hack-Molay & Mahmoud’s article Homesickness in Developing World Expatriates and Coping Strategies (2020). Read the questions calmly and open-mindedly, striving to think without judgment or anxiety. Afterward, keep reading for some coping methods.

Quiz to Determine Your Relationship with Homesickness

1. Moving to a new place is an adjustment. Are you feeling significant distress from being separated from your home?

a. Always

b. Sometimes

c. Never

2. Too much of this can be related to homesickness. Are you feeling intense grief or longing when you think about your home? 

a. Yes

b. Often

c. Sometimes

3. Homesickness can weaken your immune system, and emotional distress can lead to physical symptoms. Are you feeling physical sickness in your unfamiliar location, such as stomach issues or exhaustion? 

a. Always

b. Sometimes

c. Never

4. Do you feel anxiety from seeing less of your familiar social environment and aspects of said environment?

a. Always

b. Sometimes

c. Never

5. Do you notice yourself, or do others notice you idealizing your home?

a. Always

b. Sometimes

c. Never

6. Do you need more coping in your everyday environments (work, social settings)? 

a. Always

b. Sometimes

c. Never

7. Have you tried coping strategies for homesickness, such as creativity or communication?

a. Never

b. Sometimes
c. Often

Results from our Quiz

If you mainly chose a), it is likely that you are struggling with homesickness. This is a common experience for immigrants; there is no reason to fear it. We will discuss a few coping mechanisms, but as always, if you feel you are overwhelmed, consider seeking help. Bookmytherapy.ca can connect you to therapists in your familiar language. There are also many crisis hotlines listed on the website https://www.bookmytherapy.ca/emergency-services/

If you mainly chose b), you might be slightly homesick, and the coping methods we will view may also be useful for you. They can help to balance your mental health. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your mental well-being before it deteriorates is referred to as prevention. Prevention encompasses strategies like effective coping, seeking assistance, and leveraging protective elements such as community resources and religious institutions.

If you mainly chose c), you may not be homesick, but our coping methods should still improve mental health and overall happiness no matter your feelings. 

Coping Methods for Homesickness

1. Make friends in your circles (MITMedical, n.d.).

At work, at school, in your neighborhood, in your volunteering or extracurriculars. You will feel happier when you have support and friendly faces around you.

2. Understand homesickness (UBC Vantage College, n.d.).

How easy! You are already more informed just by reading this article! Learning about homesickness allows us to make educated decisions and feel comforted by putting a name to the symptoms.

3. Creativity (Hack-Molay & Mahmoud, 2020)

Practice your creative side – it is a vehicle for your emotions and makes you feel fulfilled. Dance, draw, sing, practice pottery – whatever suits you!

4. Remember your physical health (UBC Vantage College, n.d.). 

In one of our blogs, we discussed the gut-brain connection, the link to the blog is here. We learned that our physical health affects our mental health. Negative emotions can make us not feel like taking care of ourselves, but try to eat right and exercise as best you can. 

5. Find objects that remind you of home (MITMedical, n.d.). 

Whether it is a photograph, clothing, decorations, or otherwise, find something that makes you feel closer to your home. You can even use creativity to frame your photos while decorating. Furthermore, you could create something with the colors of your country.

Conclusion

Utilizing constructive coping strategies, which promote well-being rather than causing harm, can be advantageous when dealing with homesickness. I recommend exploring the sources listed in our reference section if you wish to learn more about homesickness and coping. 

It is good to be proactive about your mental health, by reading this article and becoming more informed about homesickness. And if it does not apply to you, it could apply to a friend or family member. It could apply to you at random times, such as when you travel. All in all, it is just good information to have.

Thank you for reading. As mentioned before, if you are struggling in a way that interferes with your happiness or daily life, support is here for you. No problem is too small or too big. Visit bookmytherapy.ca for help, or explore the helplines available, such as Here 24/7 and EmpowerMe (for students who qualify). Take care of yourself, eat, drink, exercise, breathe, and remember you are not alone.