And what does it mean to expats?
A lot has been written about family wellness and how to achieve it. But is the concept of wellness and achieving it the same for people from around the world? Especially if they live away from home? We spoke to 32 families from around the world, who live abroad, to tell the stories behind the statistics and find out what factors are important to a family’s wellness when living away from home.
Origins and destinations
We spoke to expat families of different nationalities living in a variety of countries.
What’s influencing expat wellness?
Our expats said:
- Quality of life
- Weather and climate
- Mindfulness and spirituality
- Safety and security
- Health
- Family and friends
- Diet and fitness
- Mental health
- Culture
Kumarswamy family (Indians in Dubai) — “Wellness makes me think of a spa or hotel. But also having a healthy lifestyle”
Lynch family (Americans in Mexico) — “It means nothing’s wrong with you, you maintain health and you’re not stressed”
Sek family (Chinese in Singapore) — “Wellness means general lifestyle, health and happiness”
Examining the roles
Family and friends
Top 10 countries for family wellbeing*
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Finland
- Isreal
- Czech Republic
- Taiwan
- Luxemburg
- Norway
- Singapore
88% of expat parents rate their children’s quality of life as the same or better**
62% expat parents say it is more expensive overall to raise their children abroad.
“If I could wave a wand and change one thing, it would be to bring my friends and family here too”
Nine-year old Alysia Witter (Brit in Nigeria)
*According to The InterNations Expat Insider Survey
**According to HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2016
Diet and fitness
Exercise days*
- US 135
- Spain 131
- France 116
- Sweden 115
- UK 108
- Germany 101
- Italy 96
- Holland 93
“It’s one of those things where you know you should do more and eat better, but it isn’t always that easy… real life cuts across” — Anonymous.
“We don’t have to try and eat healthily, it just happens. The availability of fresh fruit and vegetables, markets and local produce is fantastic. Nutritionally we’ve never eaten better” — Anonymous
*Average number of days exercise/participation in sport per year (average 112 days). Source: TomTom.
Mental health
“More than 50% of expats were at high risk for internalising problems(such as anxiety and depression), 2.5 times more than their homebased counterparts*”
“People don’t give enough thought to their mental health, it’s all about the physical side” — Anonymous.
*Source: Aetna International’s What Is Wellness? study 2017: www.aetnainternational.com/content/dam/aetna/pdfs/aetna-international/Explorer/What-Is-Wellness-Survey.pdf
Moving to a foreign country with a family or alone can be a stressful process. Many find achieving and maintaining wellness a challenge in their new home. This is why Aetna International works with companies and individuals to provide the help people need before and during their relocation — from health care, country guides, preventative care and condition management to pre-trip planning and on-going support.
About this study:
What Is Wellness? Expat Family Health & Wellness Survey 2018 is an independent consumer research study into global expat views, commissioned by Aetna International and carried out by ID Insight Consulting. Interviews were conducted with 32 families by phone or Skype in August 2017. An expat is defined as an adult over the age of 18 years old who is currently living away from their country of origin or ‘home country’.
https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/about-us/explore/health-care/lifestyle-better-health/what-is-wellness-2018.html
The information included in this communication is provided for information purposes only and it is not intended to constitute professional advice or replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner.
Notice to UK residents: In the United Kingdom, Aetna Insurance Company Limited (FRN 458505) has issued and approved this communication.
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Source of stats
62% expat parents say it is more expensive overall to raise their children abroad
88% of expat parents rate their children’s quality of life as the same or better
52% expats agree that... | 61% say they are integrating well...
Top 10 countries for health and wellbeing | The bottom 10 health and wellbeing | Most common expat problems
The InterNations Expat Insider Survey: https://inassets1-internationsgmbh.netdna-ssl.com/static/bundles/internationsexpatinsider/pdf/ expat_insider_2016_the_internations_survey.pdf
Exercise days
http://corporate.tomtom.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=816596
More than 50% of expats were at high risk for internalising problems (such as anxiety and depression), 2.5 times more than their homebased counterparts
EAP Chestnut Global Partners globalbusinessnews.net/expatriates-atrisk-stress-and-mental-health/