How do expats maintain a sense of wellness

A high number of expats living overseas are there for just two reasons – increased career enhancement and a vastly increased salary.

Unless it’s a company reassignment with everything from accommodation to a visa taken care of, the procedure for getting set up and finding a job in a foreign land can be tedious and long-winded. For trailing spouses, if they’re lucky it’s a chance to embrace new horizons, learn new skills and experience new cultures – for others it’s a scary, lonely space without the support of friends and family back home. Relocation, it seems, can be both a blessing and a curse.

The majority of overseas assignments lead to the better quality of life usually associated with more spare money after essentials have been paid for. The excitement of a new career, better weather than at home, access to quality healthcare and, for families, affordable childcare and help in the home all contribute to an evolving sense of wellness as a result of an improved quality of life.

Living in a district with easy access to the great outdoors is far more likely to promote wellness than endless visits to the local gym. The natural environment is a major stress-buster, and a warmer climate is a benefit to physical as well as emotional health. Children love being outdoors, especially if there’s a nearby beach, lake or river, and improvements in air quality can contribute positively to expat wellness. Dependant on your new location, quality healthcare can also make a difference as long as there’s a private health insurance policy in place.

Being mindful doesn’t just mean sitting in a lotus position and distancing yourself from the real world, but practicing a form of mindfulness in your world can bring huge wellness benefits. Your perception of life as an expat influences your personal success as well as your self-knowledge, with curiosity, acceptance of change and a focus on the positive are all linked to an appreciation of your new life and its contribution to your wellness. A walk in green spaces and fresh air can do almost as much for you as can yoga or meditation.