Use the following top tips to ensure you make the transition from native to expat in the smoothest way possible.

1. Aid your circulation
Just getting from A to B can be one of the most challenging parts of moving away, especially for those with children. If you’re travelling via airplane, health experts recommend that you move around the cabin every hour to aid circulation and avoid crossing your legs when sitting. Ear pain is also common due to regular pressure changes while flying. This can be eased by chewing, yawning or swallowing continuously during takeoff and landing.

2. Slowly adjust to the climate
Adjusting to a different climate can take time. If your body is not accustomed to drastic changes in temperature and humidity, a new country can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of getting ill. The best way to acclimatise is to take it easy when you first move and slowly expose yourself the new conditions. Increase the amount of exposure each day until your body is fully adapted. Elderly people and small children should avoid being outside during the hottest or coldest periods of the day.

3. Ease into your daily routine
It’s also common for travellers to experience jet lag if they are moving across timezones, which can affect well-being, causing indigestion, daytime fatigue and insomnia. Exercising and eating a protein rich meal after you arrive will help relieve the symptoms and the sooner you try to ease into a normal daily routine, the better.

4. Watch what you eat
Once you begin adjusting to your new surroundings, it‘s important to stick to your normal diet as your stomach may not yet be accustomed to the local food. Peelable fruits and vegetables are generally safe but be cautious with foods that are high risk, including meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood. If you are not certain whether the water is safe, drink bottled water.

5. Stay in the shade
Many expats move away to get more sun. If your stay entails spending lots of time outside, it’s advised that you apply sun protection of at least SPF15 and take constant breaks in shaded areas. It’s not only on hot and sunny days that the sun can be damaging to your health too. In fact, in some countries (Australia, for example), health experts recommend you apply sun protection all year round, including cloudy winter days.

6. Ask for help when needed
Lastly, some expats find that their new environment may cause stress, anxiety, or even depression. New customs, language barriers, weather, and food can all impact your mental health. This is defined as a common case of ‘culture shock’, which is very normal – especially for new expats. Learning to cope with your new surroundings takes time and you shouldn’t expect to feel at home right away. If you suffer from culture shock – seek help.