I fled the UK for sunny Dubai – life back home is miserable & no-one has any cash, I was wasting my life away there

The Sun

03-06-2025

A YOUNG woman has revealed how her health improved after she moved from the UK to Dubai – saying life at home was 'making her sick'.
Ela Reeves was struggling with a series of health conditions prior to the move, including chronic fatigue, sore joints and acne.
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With her body 'crying out for change', she decided to try life in sunnier climes – and jetted off to Dubai for a new life in January.
Working remotely there for her job at a luxury travel company, Ela says her quality of life improved immediately – and she feels healthier than ever.
' Leaving the UK has been the best decision I've ever made for my health,' Ela, originally from Essex, told What's The Jam.
'The UK was quite literally making me sick.
'I thought that I had all of these autoimmune diseases because I was constantly tired and fatigued, I was constantly getting ill and I constantly had anxiety.
'I just didn't feel my best self despite being somebody who is always health conscious, always eating the right things, going to the gym, and getting eight hours of sleep.
'It was so draining to the point that I was focusing on my health so much and wasn't really getting the results that I should have been.
'I was like 'What the hell is wrong with me?''
Prior to moving to Dubai, Ela says she had 'severe' acne, struggling with bloating due to high cortisol levels, and says the lifestyle and weather in the UK limited her.
Since leaving, she has noticed a huge difference in her health and has lost weight.
Ela said: 'I'm [now] doing 20,000 steps a day, and my skin is the softest and clearest it's ever been.
'I have so much energy – I never thought I would have this amount of energy.
'Despite getting eight hours of sleep and trying to stay off of my phone before I go to bed and stuff, I just always felt drained and tired.
'I just kind of gave up on that for a bit and thought that was just me as a person – but not here.
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:
Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the International Pension Centre.
You can sign up to the Royal Mail's redirection service.
If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre.
If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.
'I can work till late at night, I can get up early in the morning and I feel fresh.
'Even if I get less sleep now, I've still got the energy because I'm constantly outside getting fresh air and sunlight.'
Ela describes the UK as 'such a depressing place to live ' and said: 'Because it is so miserable, it is affecting your health and your body in so many ways.'
She cites the weather as a 'huge factor', saying she now walks a lot more, and spends her afternoons at the beach and sitting in the sun.
Ela said: 'I'm not wasting hours indoors anymore watching TV.
'There's always something to do here, and that shift alone has made me feel more energised and productive.
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'Life feels full again, not wasted.
'In the UK, the days felt so repetitive, scrolling on my phone and watching TV.
'And with WhatsApp, FaceTime, and social media, I don't miss my family as much as I thought I would.
'I've actually loved the experience of moving abroad solo and have made so many friends here.
'My family has also come to visit, and thankfully we all have the flexibility to travel and see each other when we want to.'
Ela has visited home to sort out visa issues and says her health issues have immediately resurfaced as a result.
She said: 'I'm back in the UK temporarily and already my acne has flared up again, and I'm feeling constantly fatigued.
'It honestly just confirms what I suspected: being in the UK really does impact my health.
'In my opinion, the UK isn't a happy place anymore.
'So many people are struggling with their health, finances, and, let's be honest, the weather.
'There are incredible opportunities for young people abroad – go and find them!'