For those of you in search of greener grass, the transition overseas can at times prove testing. With this in mind, planning ahead is vital to ensure that your time spent abroad will be fun, rewarding and healthy! PSS International Removals are here to help with some top tips to abide by.
Before leaving, educate yourself about the correct type of food, the right amount of exercise and an advisable standard of living you should be adhering to. Read the right books and magazines but always consult with a nutritionist if you feel that they might be able to help you further.
When it comes to exercise – don’t overdo it. Pushing yourself too hard when you’re just beginning is never a good thing. You have to ease your way into a new regime, so pushing your body too much at first will not only drain you physically, but could cause you unnecessary pain and injury. Exercise doesn’t always have to involve an exhaustive gym workout either. It could even be as simple as a short run along the beach or a few press-ups at home but the key thing is to raise your heart rate – wherever you may be and however much time you may have.
As expats, you are unlikely to have the time to prepare fresh food, at least at the first stages, meaning you may rely on ready-made meals. Go back to basics. No matter where you are in the world, there are always local markets selling the simplest, freshest ingredients. Always drink between 8-10 glasses of water a day. Water aids digestion and increases your memory and concentration. It also keeps your skin well nourished so don’t ignore its hidden strengths.
Working a busy expat job in a humid climate can mean that your sleep patterns and body clock will become disrupted. Always try and achieve a minimum of 6-8 hours of sleep a night, do not sleep with the TV on and avoid reading your favourite book before bedtime. These habits will only serve to keep your mind busy and awake throughout the night. Plan a bedtime routine to get your body clock set to sleep at a certain time. Listen to relaxing ambient or classical music, try experimenting with meditation and dim your lighting to relax your mind and rest your body.
Your home away from home should always be a sanctuary. Minimise your time spent in front of a laptop or computer and socialise with your colleagues away from the office and with your friends and family whenever possible. If you have children, engage in activities other than gathering around the television before, during or after dinner time. Engage with them using real toys instead of tablet apps or computer games. Open your windows, breathe in the fresh air and bask in natural sunlight as much as possible. Also try buying a few plants to improve the air quality.
Living in a new country can mean that some of the things you’re used to may not be as readily available as they might be back home. With this in mind, look into various food substitutes and plan your meals accordingly. You may even have to learn to become comfortable with substitutes not only when it comes to food, but with regards to your exercise schedule as well. Since gym memberships can be expensive and time consuming, you may have to accept something as simple as completing regular household chores to keep your body active.
Don’t disregard the importance of your mental health as well. After all, a healthy body does lead to healthy mind so avoid reacting to stress as much as possible. Always take short breaks from your work for at least 20 minutes a day and aim to divert your mind completely from things that may make you unhappy or distract you.
Despite what many people might think, smoking and drinking are not effective stress relievers. Sure, they might distract you from your problems for a brief period of time, but in the end they will only serve to create more stress and ruin your body. Maximize your free time, do what makes you happy and surround yourself with good people. A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by anyone, anywhere in the world. You just need the right information, a positive frame of mind and to accept that it’s not really as difficult as you think it might be.
Moving to a new country is not as easy or controllable as moving domestically. Although international movers do their best to minimise issues, problems can occur on route through shipping, at destination with customs officials and anywhere in-between.
To make your move abroad as easy and stress-free as possible, PSS International Removals can deliver services such as motor vehicle shipping, baggage shipments and shipping services to any international destination, with the most popular including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and UAE.
Get in touch with PSS to find out how we can help: http://www.pssremovals.com/
