Feeling homesick and being somewhere strange can be horrible.
You might feel like a duck out of water.
What’s more, you miss all the
people and things you usually have around you. If you are in hospital
you are probably feeling sick as well as homesick – it’s a
double-whammy.
But don’t worry – homesickness doesn’t have to happen. And even if it does, we can help you give it the heave-ho!
This isn’t home!
It’s normal to feel homesick in hospital. Being in a
strange place – or in different surroundings can be unsettling. This is
especially the case if you’re not feeling well, and you haven’t chosen
to be there!
Studies say that nearly half of kids away from home (like in hospital) are homesick. So don’t worry – these feelings are natural.
But there are lots of ways to help you feel better.
These can help to deal with the days when you are feeling homesick. If
you follow the tips below – you may feel happier and less homesick.
When
you are feeling good, your immune system works better and your body
heals faster. So if you have to hang out in hospital, let the
homesickness happen, and then be a hero!
How to be a hero
First of all it’s okay to share your feeling with your
mum and dad, or staff at the hospital. Nurses and other staff see
homesick children all the time.
They also know that the homesickness often disappears.
This is when you find out that there is lots to do in hospital to keep
you busy! It’s a place where you can make new friends and do all sorts
of different stuff.
There might also be a play specialist at your hospital.
He or she can help to keep you busy. This way you won’t dwell on being
in hospital – you may even forget where you are!
Hints to keep homesickness at bay
- Visit the hospital's website before you go – this way you’ll feel more familiar with it.
- Take photos of your parents and siblings (brothers and sisters) with you. Get them to visit you as soon as they can.
- Pack something that reminds you of home. This
could be a picture or favourite toy – something you can put on
your bedside table.
- Make a list before you go into hospital of
how it is going to help you. Make another list of all the times you
have been able to do something really difficult. Put these lists
on the wall to remind you why it is important to be in hospital.
And, of course, how strong you can be!
- Hospitals often keep in touch with your
school and sometimes your hospital will have a school you can go
to. Doing schoolwork can make things feel more normal.
- Having your own artwork around really helps
too. Put the things you make and do in hospital on the walls in
your room.
Relax – just take it easy!
Clinical psychologist, Kathryn Bond,
says: “One way to feel better when you are homesick is to try out some
relaxation games. These will help you to turn off some of those unhappy
feeling in your body.
- Take some slow deep breaths in through your
nose. Then blow out for as long as you can from your mouth (like
you are trying to blow a balloon away from your face)
- Close your eyes and take time to notice how
your body feels. Starting with your forehead, squeeze all your
muscles up tight whilst counting to five. Then relax. Do this three
times and then move down to your neck and shoulders. Go down your
whole body doing this right to the tips of your toes. This will
help your body to chill out.
- Close your eyes and imagine your favourite
place. It can be anywhere, like a beach, your bedroom at home or
even floating on a cloud! Imagine what it looks like, what can you
hear, what can you smell and what are you doing in as much detail
as possible.
If you start practising these tips now when you feel
homesick you will quickly be able to feel better. Try to get your
parents or an adult to help you.
If you do feel homesick, try to follow the hints we’ve
given. If this still doesn’t help – tell someone how you are feeling.
Remember to always try and take part in anything going on around you.
Keep as busy as your condition lets you, and remember home isn’t going
anywhere! You’ll probably be back before you know it!
