While moving away for school is exciting, there are many things you may face that often don’t get talked about. A major battle many of us face is loneliness. Moving to a new environment away from your friends, family, and other familiarities that make you feel feelings of love, and security can leave you vulnerable to loneliness, isolation, and even depression. Here are a few tips that can help you combat loneliness and mental illness in your new environment.
1. Work on surrounding yourself in a community in your new environment. Sometimes loneliness and depression makes us want to isolate ourselves even more. However what our bodies and our minds really need is to feel connected again. Attend an event or two, maybe introduce yourself to the person next to you in class. You never know what kind of relationships you might build!
2. Recognize that you can call more than one place home! Fully investing in your new environment doesn’t mean you have to abandon your old one.
3. Keep track of how you’re feeling and what triggers the way you feel. Ditch the habits that are harmful to your mental health and focus on adapting the healthy ones to your daily routine.
4. Have a schedule being intentional with what you do. In such a vulnerable season , too much boredom can become a breeding ground for bad habits when you feel alone.
5. It’s okay to plan trips back home to recharge as long as you don’t become dependent on those trips to survive and function. If it’s your first time, plan a trip within the first few weeks just in case!
I hope these are even a little bit helpful for you! If you have any other tips or want to share your own experience, feel free to share in the comments below!