Do you live abroad and feel like you were never the same again?
Many Brazilian mothers living abroad deal daily with symptoms such as constant fatigue, digestive problems, and anxiety, believing this is just part of the routine of living far from home.
After all, there is a new culture to learn, another language, responsibilities, homesickness for family, and often little to no support network.
But there is something important that few people explain.
Because when we move to another country, our brain interprets this change as a period of intense adaptation. Even if the decision was desired and brings countless opportunities, leaving the familiar environment means losing points of reference that provided a sense of security.
Furthermore, without realizing it, the body can remain in a state of constant alert for a long time.
It is as if the body understands that it still needs to be prepared to deal with challenges all the time.
What happens when the body remains in a state of alert?
Our nervous system has two major modes of operation.
The first is the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for keeping us alert in the face of challenges. Therefore, it increases the production of stress hormones, accelerates the heartbeat, and prioritizes essential functions to cope with situations that require adaptation.
The second is the parasympathetic nervous system, known as the “rest, digest, and restore” mode. Thus, it is in this state that the organism is able to recover energy, achieve good digestion, regulate hormones, strengthen the immune system, and promote restorative sleep.
But the problem is that many people spend so much time in a state of high alert that the body has difficulty returning to recovery mode.
And that is precisely where several symptoms begin to appear.
1. Fatigue that does not improve
You wake up tired, spend the day trying to regain energy, and even after sleeping a few hours, you remain exhausted?
This can happen because living in a constant state of alert demands an enormous expenditure of energy.
The body keeps working as if it needed to resolve an emergency all the time.
So, over the months, this physical and mental exhaustion turns into a feeling of persistent fatigue.
2. Frequent digestive problems
Abdominal bloating.
Slow digestion.
Gases.
Constipation or irregular bowel movements.
Discomfort after meals.
All these symptoms may be related to the nervous system.
When we are in survival mode, the body understands that digesting food is not a priority. Blood flow is directed to the muscles and brain, while the digestive system slows down its functioning.
Therefore, chronic stress can promote changes in digestion and bowel function.
Many women begin to notice these symptoms precisely after moving to another country, when their entire routine — diet, schedule, climate, social relationships, and stress level — also changes.
3. Anxiety that worsens at night
During the day, you can keep functioning.
But it's enough to lie down for sleep to disappear and the mind to start thinking about everything at the same time.
This happens because, during the night, the organism should naturally increase the activity of the parasympathetic system, preparing the body to rest and restore its functions.
When we remain in a state of alertness, this transition does not happen easily.
The brain continues monitoring problems, planning tasks, and anticipating worries, as if it were still necessary to remain vigilant.
The result can be difficulty relaxing, superficial sleep, frequent awakenings, and the feeling that the mind never shuts off.
Living abroad can make the body more vulnerable
It is important to understand that this does not mean living abroad is bad.
In fact, immigration represents one of the greatest adaptation processes that a person can experience.
Even when we are happy with this choice, the body needs to deal with countless changes at the same time:
A new language;
New habits;
Another culture;
Distance from family;
Loss of the support network;
Constant need to resolve unfamiliar situations.
When this adaptation is prolonged without sufficient recovery periods, the state of alertness can become chronic.
Over time, this increases vulnerability to sleep disturbances, digestive problems, anxiety, fatigue, reduced immunity, and various stress-related illnesses.
The good news: the body also learns to feel safe
Just as he learned to remain on alert, he can also learn to return to a state of balance.
This process doesn't happen overnight, but small changes made daily send a very powerful message to the nervous system: Now it is safe to rest.
Creating a consistent sleep routine, breathing consciously, practicing regular physical activity, watching one's diet, strengthening social connections, cultivating moments of presence, and setting aside small spaces for self-care help the body more frequently activate the parasympathetic system — the state in which we truly recover energy, digest better, regulate emotions, and restore our health.
Conclusion
If you live outside of Brazil and notice that you always feel tired, have frequent digestive problems, or feel that your anxiety increases precisely when it's time to rest, maybe your body isn't “broken.”.
Maybe he just spent too much time trying to protect her.
The good news is that this state does not have to be permanent.
With knowledge, self-care, and small changes to your routine, it is possible to teach the body to feel safe again, regain balance, and make the experience of living in another country much lighter, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Adaptation doesn't have to happen at the expense of your health. It can also be a path to self-awareness, empowerment, and well-being.