Tips to Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy Abroad

The human race is living in an era unlike any other. We are stressed, worried, anxious, and afraid of the unknown. Keeping the most vulnerable in mind is essential. When one impacts the fate of many, society must relinquish selfishness.

Lacs of Indian students opts to study abroad every year to pursue quality higher education and live an independent life. Many of them, especially those studying for an undergraduate or graduate degrees, are still in the prime of their lives. Students are generally healthy and do not suffer from any diseases or pre-existing conditions.

It is, however, necessary to acclimatise oneself to the culture, food, water, climate, and lifestyle of a foreign land. Adapting to a new environment can be difficult for some, while it is easy for others. An individual’s health may be affected by this. In order to help students stay healthy while studying abroad, here are ten most helpful tips:

1. Indulge in healthy meals and drink enough water

Human beings get their energy from food, providing a healthy development and enabling vital processes vital to their physical and mental well-being. It is normal to neglect our meals during the process of being away from everything we once thought we couldn’t live without. This will result in choosing easier and more convenient options and developing food habits.

It is easy to forget about the basics in an unfamiliar environment, so ensuring your mental health is a priority is crucial. Neglecting food causes long-term consequences, including depression, anxiety, wear on vital organs, and the demons of the century.

Western countries are not taboo when it comes to drinking alcohol, unlike India. When consumed in moderation, alcohol will not severely impact one’s health. Nevertheless, consuming too much of it would negatively affect one’s mind and body. Moreover, cigarettes are misunderstood as a stress reliever. Contrary to popular belief, they are the greatest enemies of the human body. Keeping healthy means avoiding cigarettes at all costs. One should do everything in moderation.

In addition, it is wise not to overindulge in coffee, even though it is the least harmful. Consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can have destabilizing effects.

2. Spend time with yourself to rebound and journal

Studying abroad doesn’t change the fact that human beings are complex. We all need time for ourselves, understand our inner selves, and consistently organising our lives. Communication with the outside is difficult when the inside is a mess.

There is a great deal of connection between mental health and solitude, a neutral point and expression, the moment we take everything out. Writing a journal is one of the most effective ways of organising our thoughts and expressing ourselves; no, it isn’t cliche. Organizing our thoughts and learning about ourselves is the best way to learn about ourselves.

Our health depends on maintaining a state of balance, which can be achieved by solitude and personal expression.

3. Talk to your friends and family back home

While you are still trying to understand how you will cope in this new stage of your life, your relationships should accompany you, and they will serve as your support while you are studying abroad.

Technology has made it possible to connect distant parts of the world, and it’s all over the place. You don’t have much trouble keeping in touch with the people who shaped and accompanied you throughout your life.

As long as you maintain familiarity, you won’t feel alone or isolated, and you’ll be more confident knowing you have a backup plan.

4. Socializing more with friends

When you move to a different place, making new friends is easy because you probably won’t be the only one looking for people to socialise with. Despite being in a transitional and critical stage in your life, maintain friendships with old friends. The importance of friendship relationships cannot be overstated.

Losing lifelong friends is tough, and making new friends and learning how to invest again is even more difficult. Friends are, however, one of life’s most meaningful things, and they can be found almost anywhere.

5. Keep your mind occupied

The feeling of doing nothing is depressing. The mind is the most complex in the human body and must be constantly worked on. Therefore, spending too much time wandering through your thoughts is never a good idea.

The rhythm of inactivity can lead to a dead end, where you will be unable to complete essential tasks, such as studying and working. Depression and anxiety are most likely to occur at this dead spot since inertia and dissatisfaction overwhelm you.

Be proactive and stop this cycle from running.

6. Workout — Join a Fitness Club

Several opportunities exist for physical activity in the community, such as dance classes offered by fitness clubs, Zumba, dance, or even marathons organised by organisations that promote physical activity.

Physical activity routine benefits not only physical health but also mental health; thus, the student community must prioritise this activity.

In addition to keeping our body in good shape, physical exercise also maintains our brain, making it more sensitive to substances that inhibit mental illness and relieve its symptoms.

7. Engage in various outdoor activities

When you study abroad, you have the chance to explore the geography, culture, and people of the place you are studying.

Among the effective methods to explore these questions are outdoor activities such as walking and cycling, collective readings in strategic places, and activities on the high seas.

In addition to improving your physical condition, these things will give you a better understanding of your environment.

8. Follow a healthy routine and lifestyle

Moving to another country must adapt to the community’s culture, environment, and lifestyle. Nevertheless, adapting to a new place can be slow or fast, depending on how much you are willing to filter your old lifestyle to create a new style that incorporates you and your new environment.

Building a healthy lifestyle is the key to incorporating it into your daily routine. Maintaining a strict routine and paying attention to your biological clock is crucial to ensuring your body’s normal functioning.

There have been thousands of years of meditation practice around the world. The benefits of meditation go beyond mere fun. Meditation does not require you to spend hours on end meditating. Meditating can reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional well-being, decrease blood pressure, and more if you start small and stay consistent.

There is a renowned practice of mixing different sexes in Western countries. Without tying the nuptial knot, physical intimacy with the opposite sex is no longer considered off-limits in the 21st century. The health consequences of unsafe sex, such as HIV infection, can also be severe, so a person should also not forget that unsafe sex can cause sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, one must practice safe sex with their partner at all times.

9. Engage in a hobby or work part-time

The following creative activities can help you improve your mental health while abroad: drawing, singing, editing photos and videos, digital art, painting, music, and so forth. No matter how little experience you have in these activities, giving yourself time to express yourself and become aware through these activities is an excellent way to de-stress and boost your self-esteem. Your creative world will take over, and you’ll forget about everything else.

10. Utilize health insurance for preventive care

When you study abroad, it is essential to have health insurance, guaranteeing both hospital emergency care and preventative care. Preventive health is necessary to avoid diseases that can cause major problems. A diagnostic evaluation increases the chances of successful treatment and assists in preventing diseases already present in the country. Student health plans cover all expenses.

Final Thoughts

The way we prepare ourselves for life’s challenges matters more than how we deal with them. Adaptation depends on constantly improving our knowledge. Getting plenty of rest, drinking enough water, exercising daily, and eating right are all essential for a strong body. In addition to being physically strong, our minds must be tough in avoiding vices, retaining close relationships, and finding meaning in life. Whenever you need practical assistance, don’t be shy about asking. Prepare for the future by thinking ahead. You can learn resilience if you stay strong.

Students often get sick or give up their dreams due to constant mental and physical health struggles while studying abroad. Thus, Global Colliance prepares its students for pre-departure sessions where the team discusses how to stay strong mentally and physically while studying abroad.

Visit us at www.globalcolliance.com and get answers to all your study abroad-related queries.