Blue Monday was a term coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnal in 2004.  He worked out a formula to show how the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. It takes into account factors including the average time for New Year’s resolutions to fail, the bad weather, debt, the time since...

Research by AXA has revealed that as many as two in five (41%) young expats aged 18-24 are negatively impacted mentally by social media and tech addiction. AXA – Global Healthcare has reviewed the Mind Health Index, looking at how young expats are affected by social media. The research found that those who report a negative...

Access to the Portuguese health system is based on residence. Everyone who’s registered as a resident can also register to access the Portuguese national health service (SNS) on the same basis as a Portuguese citizen. This is the same if you’re employed, self-employed or not working. Here we outline how expats can access healthcare in...

In recent years, an increasing number of people have thought about relocating to Europe to live, work, or retire. Europe has a lifestyle that many people find appealing because of its temperature, varied cultures, and rich history. If you’re considering moving to Europe, your top concern should be determining the kind of healthcare you and your...

The NHS could face a bill of almost half a billion pounds if retired British people currently living in other EU countries decide to return to the UK in the event that their right to healthcare in those countries is withdrawn after Brexit. This figure could be substantially higher if the NHS has to pay...

Retiring abroad is a major decision and one of the key issues if we are to get the best out of life in retirement wherever we are is access to good quality healthcare. The accessibility of healthcare should be one of the key factors in the decision on where to retire. There can be a...

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your gut. They are often called “good” or “friendly” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. Probiotics can be found in some foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut, and supplements. Some people believe that probiotics can also protect you from getting sick...

Is drinking organic wine better for you? In a nutshell, yes. Organic wine is produced according to organic viticulture standards that prohibit the use of harmful chemicals and substances. Here we set out why drinking organic wine is healthy. Statistics show that the wine market will reach up to 1...

It is widespread for expats to lack the proper mental health care coverage abroad. Some locations even lack access to mental health professionals and institutions for everyone, not just expats. And even if you end up in a place where counseling is available, like a school in case you are studying abroad, it’s most likely only going...

Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Coordination rooms, planning routes, and packing can feel like a full-time job when you are frequently on the road (or in the air). That doesn’t even touch on what it can do to a fitness routine. Luckily, you don’t...

Living abroad poses an exciting chance to experience new environments, cultures and people. But on a longer trip or assignment, it’s hard to avoid becoming ill at some stage. To increase your chances of staying healthy, it’s important to consider nutrition and your diet. Wriiten for Expat Network by Rebecca Freer,...

After a long winter period, the weather starts to heat up in many parts of the world. As expats around the world prepare for summer and as travel restrictions ease and families plan to enjoy some fun in the sun the heat can be a problem as well as a pleasure. Here are some...