{"id":5829,"date":"2026-02-23T13:09:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/?p=5829"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:50:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T22:20:01","slug":"the-long-distance-ache-normalizing-the-second-wave-of-homesickness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/the-long-distance-ache-normalizing-the-second-wave-of-homesickness\/","title":{"rendered":"The Long-Distance Ache: Normalizing the &#8220;Second-Wave&#8221; of Homesickness"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:28px;\"><h1 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;\"><h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Long-Distance Ache: Normalizing the &#8220;Second-Wave&#8221; of Homesickness<\/span><\/h1><\/h1><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">College student mental health is one of the biggest conversations happening in higher education right now. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4527955\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u7814\u7a76<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues to show increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and overall mental distress among students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a real reason for that. During college years, the brain continues to strengthen skills such as attention, emotional regulation, decision-making, and behavior management. When you layer in homesickness, academic pressure, social changes, financial stress, and the lasting impact of the pandemic, it\u2019s not surprising that mental health challenges show up on campus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health doesn\u2019t exist separately from student life \u2014 it affects everything. Academic work, relationships, physical health, and extracurricular activities can all feel harder to manage when you\u2019re struggling emotionally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is the transition from high school to college so hard?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many college freshmen, arriving on a university campus is a mix of excitement and a quiet moment of \u201cwhat did I just sign up for?\u201d Homesickness, loneliness, and social isolation are incredibly common during that first year. Missing family, familiar routines, and the comfort of home can feel surprisingly intense at first.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving into residence halls, figuring out the campus map, attending unfamiliar student events, and adjusting to a brand-new learning environment can feel like a lot all at once.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This transition usually means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being away from family and your usual community support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling pressure to make friends fast<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigating <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/the-pressure-cooker-academic-stress-and-its-toll-on-youth-well-being\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u6559\u5b66<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> competition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning how to manage life on your own<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homesickness can come in waves<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many students also experience what\u2019s often called a \u201csecond wave\u201d of homesickness later in the semester. After the initial excitement fades and academic pressure builds, feelings of loneliness can resurface. This can happen around midterms, holidays, or when students realize they\u2019re still adjusting to life away from home. While this is a very normal part of the transition to college, it can still feel difficult in the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing isolation really matters during this time. Joining a student organization, trying experiential learning opportunities, or even picking up a simple hobby can help build social connections and emotional resilience. Getting involved in the campus community\u2014through student government, student clubs, or volunteer programs\u2014can create a real sense of belonging and optimism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, if homesickness, anxiety, or loneliness start to interfere with daily life, classes, or relationships, it may be more than just a normal adjustment period. That\u2019s when extra support can make a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does homesickness affect mental health?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homesickness is a very common experience for college students, especially during the first year. Being away from family, familiar routines, and long-standing support systems can bring up feelings of loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. For some students, these feelings fade as they adjust to campus life. For others, homesickness can grow into deeper mental health challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students may notice ongoing sadness, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating in class, or pulling away from social activities and campus life. In some cases, homesickness can overlap with conditions like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety and panic attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major depressive disorder and other mood disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/world-bipolar-day-breaking-the-stigma-around-bipolar-disorder\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social anxiety disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/unhealthy-diet-content-weight-loss-trends-mental-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating disorders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schizophrenia, which often appears in early adulthood<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overwhelming sadness, major changes in sleep, trouble concentrating, pulling away from campus life, or experiencing suicidal ideation aren\u2019t just normal college homesickness or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/3-different-types-of-stress-and-how-they-affect-you\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u5f3a\u8c03<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If these feelings persist or begin affecting daily functioning, additional support could help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the physical effects of homesickness?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homesickness is stressful. Being away from the people, places, and routines that feel familiar can leave students feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or out of place. Chronic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/understanding-the-physical-effects-of-stress-on-your-body\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u5f3a\u8c03<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t just stay in your head \u2014 it affects your whole body. When students are dealing with homesickness, the emotional stress of being away can take a toll on both the mind and body. Feeling lonely or out of place on campus can affect mood, focus, and energy levels, making it harder to stay engaged in classes or daily activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homesickness can also disrupt basic habits. Sleep may become inconsistent, meals may be skipped, and motivation to exercise or socialize can drop. Over time, this emotional strain can lead to increased stress and fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mind and body are closely connected. When someone is struggling emotionally, it can show up physically as well. Taking homesickness seriously and finding ways to build connection and support on campus can make a big difference in overall well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your brain and body are deeply connected. When your mental health is struggling, your physical health can feel it too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple habits can help take the edge off stress, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving your body regularly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sticking to a consistent sleep routine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating balanced meals when you can<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practicing mindfulness, breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These strategies can build resilience and help you feel steadier day to day. But if stress feels constant, overwhelming, or unmanageable, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. That\u2019s when professional support can make a real difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to seek professional mental health care<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might be time to reach out for professional support if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety or panic is making it hard to get through the day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadness sticks around most days of the week<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your sleep and appetite have noticeably changed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If suicidal thoughts come up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or your grades suddenly drop because you just can\u2019t focus or keep up<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A\u00a0 mental health provider can offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/8-unconventional-reasons-to-go-to-therapy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u6cbb\u7597<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that\u2019s tailored to what you\u2019re going through. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/mental-health-vs-mental-illness-differences-support\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">care is real health care\u2014and asking for help isn\u2019t a weakness. It\u2019s a strong, proactive step toward feeling better.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u592a\u5e73\u6d0b\u5065\u5eb7\u96c6\u56e2\u5982\u4f55\u4e3a\u60a8\u63d0\u4f9b\u652f\u6301<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or a college student in your life is struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, mood disorders, trauma, or ongoing stress, professional support can make a meaningful difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Health Group provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. We offer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u4e2a\u522b\u6cbb\u7597<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/family-therapy-benefits-for-every-family-type\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u5bb6\u5ead\u6cbb\u7597<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Couples counseling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/too-busy-for-therapy-telecare-can-be-a-game-changer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u8fdc\u7a0b\u4fdd\u5065<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> appointments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our team of behavioral health professionals supports students navigating homesickness, academic pressure, social isolation, and other major life transitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You do not have to manage college behavioral health challenges alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call 1-877-811-1217 or visit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.mypacifichealth.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vivamus magna justo, lacinia eget consectetur sed, convallis at tellus curabitur non.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-behavioral-health-services"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5829"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5951,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5829\/revisions\/5951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypacifichealth.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}