Happy Holidays! How Expats cope with Christmas and New Year

With much of the world experiencing another round of Covid-19 infections, lockdowns and borders shutting down because of the Omicron variant, how can expats cope with Christmas and New Year when they have been looking forward to reuniting with their friends and families for so long?

Expats have to be some of the most resilient people in the world. They have to adapt to different cultures, new business practices, develop a network of friends and relationships, often in a foreign language and deal with the constant uncertainty of the assignment length and having to be ready to move again to the next destination at any time.

But this latest setback to so many expats’ plans could be tough, even for the most resilient to cope with. Here are some tips to help: 

Be proactive

To make up for feelings of uncertainty and indecision, expats need to be proactive and organize themselves via social networks and expat organisations. Find people who are interested in sharing or hosting events with you and your family. That way you can create the ‘family feeling’ you’ll be missing out on by not travelling home. 

It won’t be the same, but it will be a great experience in a different way. Build great memories and take photos of the food, drinks and fun and share it with your family back home. They will be happy to see you are coping well and it will lift any feelings of guilt they have about enjoying themselves whilst you are away. 

Embrace the local customs

Take advantage of being somewhere different. Get stuck into local cultural experiences and relish the different ways people celebrate the holiday period.  

Focus on the new experiences you are gaining, the new friends and traditions that you’ll always remember rather than dwelling on the holiday season you are not having. 

Share your home customs 

This is a great opportunity to share some of your own culture and customs with your new friends and expats from different countries. Get everyone to share a special dish or drink and tell a story about how the holiday season works in their country. It will make everyone feel heard and you’ll all learn something new. 

Keep in touch with home

Expats have to be expert at keeping in touch via technology. Don’t forget to organise that video call with your friends and family on the big day to help you feel more connected with what’s going on at home. Open up your presents whilst online to share the excitement, mix a special drink or show off the interesting new food you’ll be eating.  Generate a positive spirit on the call, and if everyone agrees, you can even record it to look back on and remember.

Volunteer at Christmas and New Year

If you really do face being on your own over the holiday season, then think about volunteering with an organisation that is close to your heart. Whether an animal charity, a children’s home or a refuge for older people – many are looking for help and support over the holiday season. This could be the opportunity to make a difference and make new friends at the same time. It will help make the time pass and help you remember all the advantages you have. 

Support for Expats during Christmas and New Year 

There’s no doubt that whether it’s your first Christmas away from home or you are an expat pro, the holiday season can be a tough time for expats and their families. 

The good news is that if you feel you need some extra support, are dreading the holidays, or have work or family issues to deal with you can find support on Happy Consults, our online platform that offers remote expert counselling from wherever you are in the world, in the language of your choice. 

Stress management consultants, executive coaches, therapists, psychologists, nutritionists are all available – and we’re adding more expertise every day –  so you don’t have to cope on your own. It’s time for you to be happy – happy at work, happy at home and happy with your health. 

We hope you’ve found some inspiration in the tips we’ve shared and wish you a Happy Holiday from Happy Consults!