When you first booked your vacation to Thailand and decided you wanted to make the absolute most of the experience and make it a long-stay holiday, there is no doubt you felt tons of excitement and anticipation for the trip to begin. Thailand is a stunning and beautiful destination filled with awe-inspiring natural scenery, architecture, beaches, culture, incredible food, and friendly people. Even with all its wonderful pros, and the excitement you were so clearly filled with, it doesn’t leave you immune to homesickness.

While it is perfectly normal to feel a sense of homesickness, the last thing you want to do is let it rule your experience and take over. So, if you feel yourself starting to slip into it, or you haven’t yet left for your holiday, here are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you combat that feeling of homesick.

Indulge in Some Comfort Food from Home

When you have a bad day at home, one thing that people often do to feel better and soothe their spirit is to indulge in some comfort food. These are foods that promote happy, safe and satisfied feelings. Just because you are on vacation it doesn’t mean you can’t use the same trick in Thailand.

Take, for example, Villa Market, a grocery online Bangkok store that offers all the comforts of home.  It’s known for its selection of direct imports from a number of top brands and countries, so chances are high you’ll be able to find a few of your favorites. Whether it’s just a few snack items or enough to whip up a meal in your hotel room (provided you have the facilities to do this), this can be all it takes to ease the feelings of homesickness.

Engage with Friends and Family on Social Networks

Social networks have made keeping in touch with family and friends easier than ever before. With these networks, you’ll be able to exchange messages in real time, have a voice or video chat, share photos, and basically stay in the loop if you will. Connecting with those you love back home often puts your mind at ease, puts a smile on your face, and can re-energize you.

Get Out and Get Active

Another sure-fire way to fight homesickness is to leave your hotel room, get out there, and get active. Sitting in your room, feeling upset, and wallowing in your sadness isn’t going to help anything. Something that can help though is being physically active. You can sign up for a walking tour, explore one of the many outdoor markets and shops that Thailand is known for, engage in some water activities, and anything else that gets you active.

When you work out or engage in physical activity, your brain will release endorphins, which is a powerful chemical that is able to fight stress and anxiety.

Don’t Let Homesickness Dictate Your Vacation

By using these tips, you will ensure that feelings of homesickness won’t dictate how you spend your vacation and what kind of experience you have.