Many people take to life as an expat very easily but for others loneliness can be an issue especially when you first move abroad.  The festive season with the joy of Christmas lights and holiday gatherings can feel bittersweet for expats far away from loved ones. That said, the expat specialists at William Russell have provided their top tips on tackling loneliness as an expat.

William Cooper, Marketing Director at William Russell, comments: 

“While there’s a whole host of benefits to moving abroad, it’s not without its challenges. Finances, logistics, and employment aside spending life’s key milestones and events alone or away from family can be one of the hardest things you face as an expat. Birthdays, weddings, christenings, and Christmasses are times when you’re usually surrounded by family and close friends, which are things you may have to miss out on more regularly due to money and distance. 

“On top of that, depending on where you’ve relocated to, cultural differences may mean holiday festivities look completely different and make you feel lonely. If you feel like you or a close friend or family member who’s an expat are suffering from loneliness, thankfully, there are a few ways to combat it. The first step is to recognise the signs. 

“Feeling isolated, unconnected, hopeless, or unmotivated are just a handful of the signs. It’s important to note that loneliness and mental health are intrinsically linked. While loneliness isn’t a mental health condition, it’s often listed as a cause and a symptom of other mental health disorders, often with similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two. So it’s better to be safe than sorry and speak to a mental health professional for advice. 

“There are some things you can do yourself to help keep loneliness at bay, though, such as building community, staying in touch with loved ones, and creating a routine.

1. Build a new community for yourself: one of the amazing things about moving abroad is experiencing a new culture and way of life. Throw yourself into the deep end and immerse yourself in the local culture. If celebrations look different where you’ve relocated to, get involved! 

Attend festivals, holiday events and community gatherings to learn about the culture and meet new people. Join online or in-person expat communities, you might meet people who will help you integrate. Professional networks, local classes and clubs are good options, too. Volunteering is another great way to build a sense of community and belonging.

• Stay connected to loved ones: it sounds like a given but with time differences, busy schedules, and lifestyle changes, it can be easier said than done. To mitigate this, schedule regular calls with your nearest and dearest and set reminders to help maintain consistency. 

Test a variety of different platforms and ways to communicate to find what’s most reliable and accessible for you and your friends and family. If time is a big issue, try sending short videos or voice notes. Harness social media and share your new experiences regularly and keep up to date with close ones to make you feel more connected. However infrequent they may be, plan your next visits home, to give you and your family and friends something to look forward to. 

• Create a routine: if you haven’t already, create a routine. Creating a routine will help make you feel less lonely as it offers a sense of stability and promotes social interaction. Start incorporating regular activities that get you outside every day, whether it be attending a gym class, or grabbing a coffee from your local cafe in the morning. 

Establishing a schedule will provide you with more opportunities to engage with people and form new connections, while gradually building your sense of community and belonging. Plus, keeping yourself busy, gives you less time to think about missing your loved ones! 

“As mentioned, seeking help from a mental health professional is key, and if you have health insurance, you may have access to help through that so it’s worth checking. Or, you can see information on what support is available to you in your new country via the government’s website, here.”