You know I’ve spoken a lot about the nice things Europe has to offer, which is great – diverse cultures and languages to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. However, adapting to this new environment and managing the demands of daily life can sometimes take a toll on your mental health. Therefore, I thought I’d share some tips on mental health care in the EU.
The first thing I’ll say is embrace cultural diversity. You’ve got to understand that you’re coming into a new country with new people, not only locals. But all the other foreigners too. You must respect the fact that you’re in a different place. It’s going to be common to find people who don’t see things the way you do. Behave the way you’re used to. So, be open-minded. Don’t always take things personally, don’t be quick to be to escalate small situations because often.
Those little things can build up and cause you unnecessary mental stress and anxiety. Instead, try to build a social support system by attending events, festivals or gatherings and connecting with like-minded people. Also, learn the local language. At least if someone throws you a shady comment on the street, you’ll be able to understand it. 😅
Mental Health Care in the EU
The next thing I’ll suggest is establishing a routine. This will provide you with structure and stability, which will contribute significantly to your mental well-being. Don’t crowd your schedule with only one type of activity, instead, ensure you allocate time for work, leisure and self-care. Work being inclusive of university studies if that’s why you’re in a foreign land. Under leisure, you’d be looking at things like going out with some friends occasionally.
Ttaking a small trip to a different city, going out to museums, festivals or other just to get a break from work, but also interact with other people. Under self-care, you can get gym membership. Stick to a workout program – exercise releases endorphins which then reduces stress and anxiety. You can join a painting class. Dance class as a form of self-care, you can read, take regular walks, or do other relaxing activities. It’s important to have a balance or routine so your body and mind get used to moments of hyper-activity and relaxation.
So, in the above text, I’ve provided info on how to avoid stress. Now what happens when you notice that you are now stressed and anxious? You’ve got to find ways to deal with that, and I know sometimes it isn’t always easy to find information in the EU if you don’t speak the local language. Based on my experience in the country I’m in, here are my tips:
- Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: I did come to a point where I realized there are a lot of things that are causing me stress, and after reading Nicole LePera’s How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self, I started doing some breathing exercises and journaling to help me identify areas causing stress and this my mental health improved. and make the changes to start dealing with those situations better. Breathing exercises are always helpful. I recommend following her account “the.holistic.psychologist” on Instagram where she shares some useful tips. A lot of resources are available on YouTube or other media platforms that can help with meditation and relaxation so give those a go.
- Access Mental Health Care Services: One of the things I love most about many of the European countries is the access to mental health care facilities. As a student or employee, you should have free (included in the taxes) access to all types of public mental health care institutions, meaning you can just book an appointment and see a doctor. Granted, this may take a while due to the general queues in some places, but the service is there. Check to see if you’re eligible to visit a psychologist for therapy and go talk to someone. Sometimes if you have private mental health insurance provided by your company, you can use it to get appointments faster in the private clinics (where they generally do speak English). Familiarize yourself with local helplines, counseling services, and support groups and seek the professional help you may need to cope with the stresses you’re going through.
- Visit Home as Often as You Can: This may not always be easy to do often, but when you have the chance, I recommend going home every now and then to be amongst family and old friends just to reset and remind yourself you have loved ones rooting for you. It’s always nice to eat familiar food and speak your local language and this just helps relax you and refocus you.
Living in the EU is a rewarding experience, and prioritizing your mental health ensures that you are able to make the most of it. I know a lot of things are easier said than done, but reading this article is already a step in the right direction.
If you need any help at all, feel free to reach out via Instagram or Facebook DM and we can have a chat about any questions you may have.
Be safe, stay strong, and see you in the next read!