How to fight culture shock stress

For some, life in a foreign country gets too much to bear and they leave with a sense of failure and bitterness. If you ask anyone what’s the biggest problem that about living in a foreign country — it’s the language barrier. Everyday tasks, from making a restaurant reservation to paying the bills, become difficult. The workplace becomes a minefield cultural differences where your own rules no longer apply. Basically, you feel like you can't seem to communicate with others anymore and vice versa.

Sociologists say that culture shock is akin to grieving for a deceased family member or friend. Leaving what you know and wading through a foreign land grow feelings of loneliness and isolation. The things you took for granted in your home country may not exist of you in your adopted country — from finding the right dress size to calling your pals whenever you please.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A huge dose of positive thinking
• A will made of steel
• An open mind
• A curious soul
• An occasional glass of wine

1. If you recognize signs of unrelenting stress — you can fix them with small lifestyle changes. Join a pilates program or book yourself into a manicure session for an afternoon.

2. Delegate some me time everyday, even if it’s just watching TV or preparing a meal for yourself. Handle your stress when it's still manageable — daily, rather than when you feel like when you're exploding with emotions.

3. Don't complain about your new country. It's easy to find a friend to bitch about what's difficult or annoying — you band together with one enemy in common. This kind of "support network" is very toxic and it will prevent you from settling down well. Hang out with people who actually love the city or town you're in.

4. Get off your butt and exercise. Many health professionals say exercise as one of the best solutions for depression and stress. Getting up your heart rate neutralizes the tension in your muscles, releases much needed dopamine (happy brain chemicals), and relaxes you.

Tips & Warnings

• Break the cycle of stress by finding some things you enjoy about your new home and focus on those. It could be martial arts or a new craft or a different kind of sport you've never tried.
• It's better to join an activity group or organization where you can meet new people.
• When you strike up new friendships, talk about them and not your troubles so you take your focus on your stress away from you.
• Before you blame everything on your adopted country, ask yourself these questions: "Were you stressed about work and relationships?", "Were you feeling negative about most things?", "Were you always complaining about life?" Be honest with yourself: if you were already a stress head back home, maybe it's you, and not your new home.

[Psalmist4M]

on 9/2/2008 Change itself is difficult and adding challenges such as language barriers can push you to your limits and seem overwhelming because they don't let up. Perspective does play a great part in survival. Great article. Thanks for sharing. cherylgoff.com

[Felicity]

on 5/30/2008 Thanks for sharing these tips here - it's always hard when you change countries but over time the new home becomes as important to you as the old. Thanks!