Self-Care Tips for Immigrants Adjusting to a New Country

I walked up to the automatic doors at the airport, feeling all excited with my lil suitcase. As the doors opened, it felt like that moment we often talk about—where God opens doors for us, lol. A blast of freezing air hit my face. “A the AC that?” I asked my dad in Patois, wondering if the cold air was from some massive air conditioning system. He laughed.

I landed in Canada one fine Christmas night, like a little island flower, uprooted from its warm habitat and dropped into the cold of Canada—how am I growing and thriving? Let me share the secret with you.

This is a more holistic approach to self-care, going beyond the conventional methods. I hope you find value in it.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Sure, going for a walk, reading, or working out are great self-care activities. But as an immigrant, loneliness can hit harder than you expect.

Staying connected with loved ones is essential for your emotional well-being, especially if you haven’t met many new friends yet. Keeping in touch with family and old friends grounds you and reminds you why you decided to venture out in the first place.

We will be the new random aunts that live abroad.

It’s a great way to stay updated on news back home and not feel left out. I once saw a quote that said, “We will be the new random aunts that live abroad,” and I almost cried. Family means a lot to me, and I want my little cousins to know me. I don’t want to be no random aunty, lol.

Build a Community

The secret to my growth and feeling like I belong lies in the people I’ve grown close to over the years.

Celebrating holidays with friends, having people check up on me, speak life into me, encourage me, and pray for me have all been game-changers in my journey. This kind of emotional support is a key aspect of self-care.

While keeping in touch with family is crucial, building a new community in your new country is just as important. Friendships from back home may stay strong, but you might also grow distant from some.

Having people you can lean on as you navigate your new life can make all the difference. A new community can offer support, companionship, and help you adjust to this new chapter.

Stay Rooted in Your Culture and Traditions

I work with people with dementia, and it’s amazing how many never forget where they were born, their traditional practices, or even their mother tongue.

Your cultural identity makes up a significant part of who you are. Preserving those traditions and embracing the comforting aspects of home can make a big difference and is a unique way to approach self-care.

If your culture and traditions bring you joy, don’t neglect them. Don’t forget who you are.

These things will ground you and provide a sense of home away from home, serving as a powerful way to help with homesickness. And if you want, you can even create new traditions along the way.

Create a Personalized Self-Care Routine

I once heard someone say that we can have feelings of depression when we stop doing the things we love—things that reflect who we are.

Following self-care routines from social media is fine, but your routine should truly cater to you.

Design a self-care plan tailored to your needs and preferences. Identify activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This could be journaling, cooking your favorite dish, going for a walk, or spending time with God. Do it for you.

Have Fun

Don’t kill yourself trying to survive,” my dad once told me when I was considering picking up extra shifts.

One thing you’ll notice if you move to a first-world country—I can speak for Canada—is that people are often caught up in work and the grind of adult life.

Don’t get so caught up in surviving that you forget to live. Take time to explore the country. Let your hair down, enjoy the fruits of your hard work, and have some fun. Life shouldn’t be all work and no play.

Alright, girl, go out there and be great! Remember: having a community—whether old or new—is a form of self-care. Stay true to who you are, don’t forget where you came from, build a self-care routine that works for you, and most importantly, have fun!