3 Mental Health Tips for the Empty Nester
By Genevieve Cunningham
It’s almost time for a very exciting time of year … the back-to-school rush! While this is fun and exciting for many, it may bring sadness to others. Specifically, it may bring a sense of loss to those parents whose baby is headed to college. They’ll soon be faced with an empty nest, and there’s no doubt that this can trigger some hard emotions. If an empty nest is in your near future, take a look at these three mental health tips that can help you make the transition.
Get Some New Hobbies
The key to surviving the empty nest is staying busy. Your world is no longer dictated by children and their many demands. Go ahead and make this time about you. Pick up a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try but never had time for. Learn to dance or do yoga or shoot a bow and arrow. The busier you keep yourself, the less you’ll feel the void of your children out of the home, and the faster you’ll get used to the new normal.
Stay Connected to Your Kids
Just because your kids moved out, it doesn’t mean you have to cut off all contact. Respect the fact that they’re building a life, but find little ways to remain in contact with them. Send them emails or text messages. Call them, but be careful not to get offended if they don’t answer. Be open to their form of communication, and be patient as they figure out the world.
Reconnect to Your Spouse and Old Friends
Now is an excellent time to reconnect to your spouse and old friends. Without children in the limelight, you get to spend a little more time on yourself. Plan date nights with your spouse, coffee dates with friends, and do whatever suits your fancy. With the extra time on your hands, you can enjoy new connections and rebuild relationships into something strong and fulfilling.
The empty nest is a tough transition in life, but it’s one that can be handled with grace. Get yourself prepared by incorporating some of these tips into your life. The more prepared you are, the better it will be. After a little while, you may find the empty nest to suit you well, and begin to enjoy your newfound freedom more than ever.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.
