4 health and wellness tips for new expats of any age

If you’ve recently emigrated or it’s on the cards for the near future, you might skip over the health and wellness aspect of your relocation in the hurly burly of the big move.

To make sure this isn’t forgotten about altogether, here are a few of the main things you need to think about to stay fit, healthy and happy as a new expat.

Getting medical insurance

Your first step towards health and wellness abroad should be obtaining suitable medical insurance. This step is often the likeliest to slip through the cracks of expat planning.

You'd be surprised at how each country's healthcare system can widely differ from another’s. For instance, getting health insurance in Thailand as an expat differs greatly from acquiring coverage in European countries.

Navigating these differences upfront helps you avoid unnecessary stress or financial strain when a health crisis arises.

Staying physically active abroad

Maintaining an exercise routine while adjusting to a new environment can be a struggle. But even simple physical activities can significantly boost your health and mood as a newcomer. Here are a few tips:

• Start with walking. Explore your new neighborhood on foot to really get a handle on it.
• Join local fitness classes. These are great for getting in shape and meeting locals.
• Try out traditional sports or exercises. Investigate options like yoga in India, taichi in China or samba dancing in Brazil.
• Have indoor workout alternatives for poor weather days.

It’s not about working yourself to exhaustion. It's a case of finding joy and balance through activity that suits you best.

Spending time outdoors also helps you familiarize with the terrain faster. So go ahead and try something different, since that’s what moving overseas is all about in the first place.

Navigating local food choices

Living abroad often means indulging in new culinary experiences. While it's great to explore, it's helpful to strike a balance between savoring local delicacies and maintaining healthy eating habits. Here are some tips:

• Learn about the nutritional content of local foods. That way you can make informed decisions before you buy anything.
• Develop healthier versions of traditional dishes at home. Cutting out harmful fats and replacing them with more nutritious alternatives is a good all-round move.
• Watch out for overly processed street food options. While they might be marketed as authentic, more often than not they’re tourist traps that locals avoid.
• Drink plenty of water, especially in hot climates. People moving from cooler, wetter parts of the world often don’t account for the hydration issues that can crop up post-relocation.
• Look into potential food safety concerns. Not all places have the same rigors in terms of food hygiene, so keep your wits about you and read online reviews before eating out.

Lastly, make sure you're getting your essential vitamins and nutrients from meals as much as possible. If there are some gaps here, taking supplements to fill them is sensible.

Managing mental wellness overseas

Moving abroad can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety. Therefore, prioritizing your mental wellness is as critical as maintaining physical health while adjusting to life as an expat. Here's how you can ensure that:

• Keep in touch with loved ones back home regularly.
• Have a routine and stick to it whenever possible.
• Practice mindfulness or meditate every day.
• Write about your experiences in a journal.

It’s perfectly okay if you feel homesick or overwhelmed from time to time, as it happens to the best of us. Reach out to local support groups, make use of teletherapy services, or connect with fellow expats who might be feeling the same way to cope with this.

Wrapping up

Staying healthy as an expat is an ongoing process, so don’t just keep up with these habits immediately after your move, but aim to make positive changes that you actually stick to. 

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