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Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) are often described as a life-changing experience. Leaving your comfort zone behind for a year or more of travel can bring about many emotions: joy, sadness, anxiety, doubt… While you often hear about culture shock and these different changes in your emotional state, there’s not as much discussion about the physical changes you might experience on a WHV. Whether you notice positive or negative changes in your body, you should be prepared for your new environment and living conditions to impact your physical health in some way.
In this article, we share testimonies from working holiday makers around the world about the changes in their body they experienced during their WHV. Whether it’s caused by climate, weather, altitude, food or another factor, know that you aren’t alone; it’s more common than you might think to have a physical reaction to your new home.
We’ll also share some tips for how to listen to and understand your body. Some changes will be temporary and resolve themselves once you’re used to your new environment. Other changes might be longer-lasting and, in these cases, we’ll look at strategies you can put in place for coping with the change.
The important thing is to listen to your body and, if needed, discuss the changes in your health with a medical professional.
Summary
- 1. Skin
- 2. Hair
- 3. Weight
- 4. Menstruation
- 5. Gastrointestinal health
- 6. Immune system
- 7. Mental health
- Reasons for change and how to deal with these changes
1. Skin
Our skin is one of the first parts of the body to start suffering from our travels. Exposed to many external elements, it can quickly become irritated. Many working holiday makers experience acne or dry skin, even if they’ve never had skin problems before:
Other people may develop softer or oilier skin, depending on which country you go to. Some travellers have also mentioned the problems caused by the sun on their skin, like sun spots:
On the other hand, some people’s skin responded positively to changing countries:
2. Hair
Your hair can also react in many different ways to a new environment: itchy scalp, dry or oily hair, and sometimes even hair loss:
On the contrary, some saw improvements in their hair:
3. Weight
Even though people sometimes fear weight gain, many of us put on some weight on a WHV, often for no apparent reason:
It can also happen that people experience fluctuating weight or weight loss:
4. Menstruation
Unfortunately, hormones are not immune to change either. Many working holiday makers experience a change in the regularity of their menstrual cycle:
5. Gastrointestinal health
As we try different foods when travelling, our gastrointestinal health can take a hit. While stomach problems are expected in certain destinations (e.g. India or South East Asia), travellers can be surprised by the differences in gut health in their WHV country:
6. Immune system
Obviously, our immune system can be impacted by the change of environment. Many travellers get sick more frequently than normal:
However, for many, the change of environment can help boost the immune system, especially when it comes to fighting off common colds and allergies:
7. Mental health
Even if travelling is full of fun and adventure, it can still be a source of stress. Many working holiday makers experience both positive and negative changes to their mood throughout their time away from home:
Reasons for change and how to deal with these changes
Some of the most common causes of the bodily changes we experience during our travels include:
1. Stress
As we’ve said before, even if moving abroad is fun and exciting, it’s no small feat. Taking the steps to pack up your life at home and head into the unknown can be stressful. Saying goodbye to loved ones, applying for visas, finding new places to live and work are just a few examples of potential stressors. It is completely normal for our body to react to these increased stress levels, especially in our immune systems, digestive tracts and skin.
How to deal with the change
It’s important to give yourself time. Most stressors are usually temporary and will ease once you have settled in your new country. Make friends with other backpackers so that you can support each other through the experience.
2. Changes in your normal routine
Starting a WHV usually means a complete change in your daily routine. Arriving in a new country often makes us want to try new things and explore more. This leads to diversions from our usual habits.
For example, working holiday makers live more nomadic lives. They might sleep in hostel dorms or in their car or van. They might spend time in remote areas without basic access to hospitals and supermarkets. In these conditions, it can be more difficult to maintain a balanced diet and exercise.
How to deal with the change
Some changes come from a necessary adaptation to the environment, but others are through choice. In these cases, try to blend your old routine with your new one and make choices that prioritise your health.
For example, many of us want to eat out and sample all the treats and delicacies we’ve never had at home. But you can do this wisely, e.g. by limiting yourself to eating out a few times a week, rather than every day. Try to book hostels or Airbnbs with a kitchen so that you can still cook some meals for yourself.
3. Food
Food standards and regulations can be different in other countries. You can’t avoid eating the local food on your WHV, so it’s no surprise that food can have a huge impact on our health. You might experience differences in:
- the grains animals are fed
- the types of animals people eat
- the amount of pesticides, additives or preservatives used
- the way wheat is treated, etc.
In addition to different food regulations, the way food is made (especially ultra-processed foods) can be different to what you’re used to. Some countries are known for adding extra salt, sugar or high fructose corn syrup to everything. Sometimes, even natural foods can taste different, like sweeter citrus fruits in New Zealand.
How to deal with the change
It’s important to read labels when you are shopping. Pay attention to the salt, sugar and fat content of foods. It’s a bit of a hassle but once you find the healthier options, it will be easier to maintain a diet similar to the one you’re used to. You can try to shop organic or at farmers’ markets for fresh produce with less preservatives and pesticides.
If you suspect a reaction to a certain type of food, consider seeing a doctor or dietician. It’s common to have a reaction to things like gluten and lactose in one country but not another. It all depends on the way food is made in that country.
4. The climate (temperatures and humidity)
Whether you’re drawn to a WHV in the sun or a ski season in the snow, chances are you’ll encounter different climates to where you normally live. Even if you enjoy the new climate, your body might wonder what is happening and need a longer time to adapt.
Humidity is a particular challenge because it makes hot temperatures feel hotter and cold temperatures feel colder. Moving to a humid climate can be difficult for people who aren’t used to it. Humidity can cause everything from damp and oily hair to bouts of acne and eczema. It can also make breathing more difficult if you suffer from asthma.
How to deal with the change
If you’re experiencing more heat than you’re used to, make sure you adjust your water intake to combat exhaustion and dehydration. As you’ll sweat more, you also need to increase your salt intake.
If you’re in a colder climate, be prepared for brittle hair and sore skin. Apply plenty of Vaseline and heavy-duty moisturiser to ward off chapped lips and itchy or flaky skin. Depending on whether the air is dry or humid, purchasing a humidifier or dehumidifier may help (if you’re settled in one location).
5. Pollution
Pollution is a factor affecting many working holiday makers who move to big cities. In spring and summer, the heat and sunlight can increase pollution levels. Couple that with the onset of hay fever season and many people find themselves suffering from irritation to the eyes, sinuses, mouth and throat.
How to deal with the change
Try to time your arrival so that you start your WHV in the autumn or winter, if you know you’re sensitive to pollution and pollen. Avoid going outside (especially exercising) during the hours when the air quality is at its lowest. If you do need to go out, consider wearing a mask.
6. Sunlight
If you’re from a country that has daylight saving time, you’ll be used to grey days and dark nights for much of the year. Moving to a country with more natural light and longer hours of daylight should have a positive effect on your mood and energy levels. If you’ve moved from a country with lots of sunshine to one that has harsher winters, be prepared for dips in mood.
Finally, some countries like New Zealand and Australia are particularly known for the intense sun and lack of protection from UV, thanks to the gaps in the ozone layer. It’s important to take extra precautions to avoid damaging your skin from overexposure to the sun.
How to deal with the change
Take sun protection seriously. Wear sunscreen (top up regularly), sunhats, sunglasses, rash guards, etc. Avoiding skin damage is more important than a nice tan!
Certain types of lighting can help boost your mood. If your accommodation doesn’t have plenty of natural light, invest in a light therapy lamp, which mimics natural sunlight.
Consider taking supplements such as Vitamin D to combat the lack of sun exposure in winter.
7. Water quality
You’ll probably notice that water tastes different abroad. In some countries, it will be of better quality. In others, it may be of a worse quality; you might need to buy bottled water if you can’t drink from the tap.
You will experience differences in hard water and soft water. Soft water can be better for the digestive system but can make hair and skin oily and greasy. It’s harder to rinse off soft water, which can lead to hair and skin that isn’t properly cleansed. Conversely, hard water is harsher and can dry out skin and make hair more brittle.
How to deal with the change
Cosmetic products from your WHV country may be designed to work better in the local water. Consider buying your toiletries once you arrive rather than bringing them from home. However, be sure to research the parabens and other compositions in the products. As with food, you may find ingredients are less regulated in your WHV country.
You can install a filter on your shower to change the softness/hardness of the water. If the water isn’t palatable or safe to drink, consider buying a filtration jug or bottled water (a filter is better for the environment, as you won’t use as much single-use plastic).
If you’ve had a similar experience on your WHV, share it in the comments.
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