Most of the time, being a travel nurse is a fun and fulfilling endeavor, filling your heart with excitement and exhilaration. Still, when Christmas comes — especially when the temperature drops, carols are constantly played everywhere you go, and holiday decorations abound — it’s very normal to feel pangs of nostalgia and sadness creep up on you. The reality is that it’s just hard to be away from loved ones especially when the holidays roll in.
This article provides several helpful ways to help you cope with homesickness while you’re away on a travel assignment during the holiday season.
Travel nurse mental health tips to deal with homesickness
1. Lean into your travels
One good way to battle homesickness is by staying busy and exploring the city or state you’re in. As the old adage says, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When you’re in a new place, make the most of your trip and see and experience as much of it as you can. Admittedly, it’s hard to get the motivation to go exploring when you’re not in the best of moods. However, it might be helpful if you approached it as a way to make wonderful memories. You can then share these memories with your friends and loved ones on social media or in person when you finally get together for a much-needed catch-up session.
2. Go out and don’t detach yourself from other people
Try your best not to isolate yourself when you’re on your travel assignment. Aside from befriending workmates who share the same interests, on your days off, you can also frequent places where you can be with or meet new people. Aside from visiting coffeehouses, parks, and museums, you can also join clubs and skill-based groups to expand your friend group. It’s easier to go out and make memories when you have friends to spend time with. So, go out (of your house and your comfort zone) and meet new friends.
3. Stay connected with loved ones
Missing your friends and family members is a good cue to use technology to reach out and stay in contact. You can start a group video call to let them know you’re thinking about them and catch up on recent events. You can even celebrate holidays with your loved ones virtually or set up a post-dinner virtual hangout via Zoom.
4. Continue your holiday traditions wherever you may be
Decorate your house and get into the festive spirit. You don’t have to go all out and spend a lot of money on holiday decorations. Go festive without breaking the bank — and without needing to haul an entire Christmas tree with you when you go back home. You can also plan your holiday meal by buying foods, treats, and drinks that remind you of happy holiday moments. Additionally, you can get into your holiday routine by visiting local stores and buying gifts for loved ones. You can mail them out so that they can reach them before the holidays or give them in person when you get home.
5. Reduce your social media time
If looking at your friends and social connections’ holiday celebrations at home is making you feel melancholic, it might be a good idea to go on a social media break. Set limits on the number of hours you spend on social media platforms if you’re having trouble putting the phone down.
6. Do something nice for others
If you find yourself having some free time in the holidays, you can spend it by doing something nice for those around you. You can volunteer in a soup kitchen, a local shelter, or a food bank. If your work schedule is full, you can do a good deed for your fellow healthcare workers by baking cookies or getting boxes of donuts or pastries to keep everyone’s spirits high. Don’t forget to bring boxes of goodies for the night shift, too!
A routine composed of healthy habits can help you feel more comfortable and can help alleviate feelings of homesickness. We hope that these tips can help you fight homesickness and make the most of your travel nursing assignment.
