第2125期:How to cope with homesickness

Starting a dream job in a new city, winning a place at a prestigious university abroad or being able to travel for an extended period. All fantastic opportunities, but they can leave us feeling sad and alone. What is homesickness and what can we do about it? 

在一个新城市开始一份梦想的工作，在国外著名大学获得一席之地，或者能够长期旅行。这些都是绝佳的机会，但它们会让我们感到悲伤和孤独。什么是想家，我们能做些什么呢？ 

Homesickness is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey – it's nothing new. Common symptoms include sadness, anxiety and irritability. It also can trigger self-protection responses causing people to withdraw from activities and become apathetic and unmotivated. Homesickness can affect anyone, but there are some factors that can make people more resilient when faced by it. Clinical psychologist Christopher Thurber and healthcare professional Edward Walton, tell us that positive previous experiences of being away from home, an optimistic outlook and a settled home background can help people deal better with the condition. Homesickness can also be less severe when someone feels in control of their situation, rather than feeling that they have been forced to move. 

荷马的《奥德赛》中提到了思乡——这并不是什么新鲜事。常见症状包括悲伤、焦虑和烦躁。它还会引发自我保护反应，导致人们退出活动并变得冷漠和缺乏动力。想家会影响任何人，但有一些因素可以让人们在面对思乡时更有弹性。临床心理学家克里斯托弗·瑟伯和医疗保健专业人士爱德华·沃尔顿告诉我们，以前离开家的积极经历、乐观的前景和稳定的家庭背景可以帮助人们更好地应对这种情况。当一个人感觉自己可以控制自己的处境，而不是觉得自己被迫搬家时，思乡之情也会减轻一些。

Regardless of these factors, homesickness does affect most people who move away from home. Psychologist Nilufar Ahmed recommends that people acknowledge homesickness, accept that it will happen and work through their feelings. Connections are important. Ahmed suggests people seek to fully involve themselves in their new surroundings, to focus on the positives of their new environment, get to know new people, and keep themselves active. She also suggests maintaining contact with home, through video chats or other means, and also to have reminders of home, such as familiar food. However, other psychologists, like Thurber and Walton, remind us that it's important that these connections to home do not prevent people taking up new opportunities. 

不管这些因素如何，思乡确实影响着大多数离家出走的人。心理学家尼卢法尔·艾哈迈德建议人们承认思乡之情，接受思乡之情的发生，并通过自己的感受来解决。连接很重要。艾哈迈德建议人们寻求充分融入新环境，关注新环境的积极因素，结识新朋友，并保持活跃。她还建议通过视频聊天或其他方式与家人保持联系，并提供一些关于家乡的回忆，例如熟悉的食物。然而，瑟伯和沃尔顿等其他心理学家提醒我们，重要的是，这些与家庭的联系不会阻止人们接受新的机会。 

Some form of homesickness is almost inevitable when we move to a new place. Understanding that this is the case, and taking small steps to lessen the impact, can help us make the most of new opportunities. 

当我们搬到一个新地方时，某种形式的思乡几乎是不可避免的。了解这种情况，并采取小步骤来减轻影响，可以帮助我们充分利用新的机会。

词汇表

abroad 在国外
extended period 长期
anxiety 焦虑
irritability 烦躁，易怒
self-protection 自我保护
withdraw 脱离，不再参与
apathetic 无兴趣的，冷漠的
unmotivated 无动力的，没有热情的
resilient 适应力强的
optimistic outlook 乐观的看法
settled 稳定的
work through 逐步处理、解决
connection （人与人的）联系
involve （使）参与
surroundings 周围环境
active 活跃的
maintain contact 保持联系
familiar 熟悉的