Dealing with Heartache while Abroad

There’s a wide a variety of travel bloggers with topics varying from A-Z. There are funny posts about eating mystery food and getting lost in a foreign land. There are also personal experiences told from the vantage point of the minority and what their experiences are as they maneuver through various continents and cultures. However, there is one topic that gets skimmed over. Maybe it’s not discussed because it’s a difficult topic or maybe there are very few people who have this experience.

This seldom mentioned topic is heartache. Heartache comes in many forms. Someone you love passes away, a relationship ends or a natural disaster occurs.  Sometimes it’s not as detrimental to your psyche; maybe you miss a wedding or the birth of a child, whatever the cause of your heartache, it is real and takes time to heal.  So how do you cope? Here are some of the ways you can you use to cope.

1.       Local Support- This is key to your survival whether abroad or at home. Having a support system gives you an outlet to express how you feel and relieve some of the pressure, anxiety, stress, and mixed emotions you are experiencing. This support can be found in a church, friend(s), host family or a therapist or counselor.

2.       Get  Active-

a.       When you are away from home and something happens that you have no control over you begin to dwell and often times obsess about it. Start something that allows you to support what is happening at home. If you are in a country that is unaware of a movement, injustice, or natural disaster use this opportunity to inform the natives. You can do this through hosting a movie night, fundraiser, or starting a local club. Just because you are absent doesn’t mean that you cannot be impactful.

b.      Actually get moving. Exercise has been proven to relieve stress and improve our quality of life. You don’t have to run a marathon, but you can go for a walk, meet up with friends and do a group activity like kayaking, riding bikes, playing tennis or basketball. Just get moving and allow those endorphins to fly full force through your body.

3.       Family- Keep in contact with your family, but set respectful boundaries! Family is one of the best forms of support that one can have. However, when you are experiencing a lost at home this can be tricky to maneuver. Your family is there in the thick of things experiencing everything first hand, so you must be respectful of their time and grieving process as well. On the other side of the coin. Don’t fall into the trap of taking on more guilt because you are not there to help.

4.        Process- Process the heartache, but don’t stay there. Staying in a place where you have no control over the situation can lead to depression and destroy you mentally. It is ok and healthy to experience all of your emotions.  

5.       Learn- Learn from this heartache. If it means appreciating your love ones more, recognizing the signs of a toxic relationship and moving on, utilize introspection to grow as a person. There is a lesson in every heartache and an opportunity to grow as a person. Don’t take this for granted. This revelation will not come over night and for some it may be months or years before things come full circle.  

What are some things that have helped you cope with heart ache while abroad? Share in the comments.