8 tips to help new OFWs hurdle homesickness

1. Read regularly. Reading does three things: first, it helps the expat squander time effectively because it devours plenty of time; second, it makes the expat more knowledgeable (say, in his field of expertise if he peruses relevant reading materials); and third, it entertains the new OFW, especially if he reads books of jokes and humorous anecdotes.

Reading also allows the expat’s mind to have something to process when he goes to sleep—and not only the memories of one’s family which foster homesickness. Personally, I suggest that every Pinoy expat would find time to lay their eyes on Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich,  Dr. Spencer Johnson’s 'Who Moved My Cheese' and J3 Patino’s 'Stock Market Jumpstarter.'

2. Network with others [virtually and personally]. Another tip that kills much time and brings happiness is networking with others like your colleagues and friends. Have time to go out with your new colleagues in order to make new friends who would help you live your life quite happily while you are far from your family. Social networking is also an effective way to squander more time if your schedule is not hectic. Just posting one’s thoughts and photographs on Fb takes much time while liking and sharing wonderful gems of wisdom uploaded on FB inspire you and probably influence your mindset as well.

3. Exercise regularly. To maintain one’s good health, an OFW has to live an active life. If a fitness gym is near his place, the Pinoy expat must schedule a visit there and exercise regularly. If one has no spare time to visit a gym, he may do brisk walking either early in the morning or at night. 

In Muscat (where I waited for deployment), my fellow Filipino expats and I strolled from our hotel in Al Khuwayr to the Muscat Grand Mall, Lulu Hypermarket, and other public places after 5 in the afternoon. Doing so not only allowed us to become closer and eventually become good friends, but also afforded us an excellent exercise which we did leisurely.

4. Have time to relax. Of course, every OFW must reward himself with an ample time for relaxation and respite. For instance, he may relax by playing chess with a colleague. Having some precious time to have respite allows one to recharge and feel reinvigorated. 

With the Filipino culture ingrained in our veins, we can’t help but relax and mingle with other Filipinos, regardless of job descriptions and regional affiliations. Here in Oman, OFWs come together for celebrations or just a simple treat for dinner. As a newcomer, I have benefited from this positive aspect of our culture. A few days after my arrival in Muscat, a friend treated me to a banquet and toured me in the Air Force Museum. In my first week in Shinas, I have had a free sumptuous lunch and a few dinner treats. 

5. Set a schedule to communicate with your family. It is impossible for an OFW  to hurdle homesickness without communicating his longing for his family and gently reminding them of his sacrifices abroad. Hence, setting a timetable to regularly communicate with his family should be one of his priorities. While regularly communicating with his family, the Pinoy expat would eventually overcome nostalgia, especially now that technology (Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, Viber, etc) bridges countries across continents through virtual and real-time communication.

6. Watch television programs when you can’t sleep at night. Television programs generally air to entertain and inform. A number of television programs may bring the OFW to sleep as it takes away his mind from remembering the pangs of homesickness. CNN, BBC and Al-Jazeera keep the Pinoy expat abreast of world events, The Filipino Channel (TFC) and GMA Pinoy TV update him on the significant events in the Philippines, and the movie channels entertain him.

7. Write a diary or journal. Writing is not always formal or academic in nature; it is also therapeutic. Just emptying your mind on the blank page is cathartic. As essayist Francis Bacon eloquently conveyed: 'Writing makes an exact man.' Writing allows you to pour out all your feelings, all your thoughts, your worries, your plans, everything. In a way, it allows you to clear your mind before you go to sleep. Doing so will make you more at peace with yourself as it exorcises your ill thoughts that may bring you nightmares at night; whereas, it  underscores your wholesome thoughts, which would elevate your spirit before going to sleep.

8. Pray passionately. Regardless of religion, one has to seek the Almighty’s divine intervention. One would always find solace in realizing that a supreme being guides him whatever he does. The closer one feels with his creator, the more passionate he would be in living life to the fullest, and the stronger he would be in facing the trials along his journey in life. Personally, I had become much closer to Him when I arrived in Oman because I fully realized His greatness. I had become much closer to him because I realized how feeble I am, without the guidance of the omnipotent, omnipresent being.

By following these tips on how to hurdle homesickness, I hope all new OFWs would overcome this crippling feeling and eventually enjoy their respective jobs overseas.