Life’s moments are fleeting. It might feel like just yesterday when you saw those two pink lines on your pregnancy test or first heard your baby’s heartbeat at an ultrasound appointment. From having babies who are dependent on you for survival to witnessing their first milestones, in no time at all, your children are already leaving home for university or another adventure. That’s when it hits you that your baby is no longer a child.
Leaving home is a big milestone for your children and you as a parent.
While movies and TV may have painted rosy pictures of the freedom parents experience when their children leave home, the reality is far from that. In fact, 47% of British parents are estimated to experience empty nest syndrome depression, and 94% of parents have said they aren’t ready for the “enforced peace and quiet.”
This transitional period leaves many parents battling depression and loneliness. However, there are ways to move past this stage of your life, with positivity, calm and excitement.
Hypnotherapy can help you rewire your subconscious anxiety and see things in a positive light. Change is never easy, but hypnotherapy can empower you to overcome challenges. I’m Susannah, a professional hypnotherapist with two decades of experience. If you’re struggling with empty nest syndrome and are open to the idea of an alternative therapy approach, let’s talk about it.
Empty Nest Syndrome Symptoms
Empty nest syndrome depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis, but it’s a very real and pressing problem. This is an emotionally transient phase, when, as a parent, your role moves from being active to more passive. As a result, this can negatively affect your mental and physical health.
Empty nest syndrome impacts parents of all genders and ages at any stage of life, whether your children are leaving for boarding school, going to university, getting married or moving into their own home.
Here are some common empty nest syndrome symptoms you may be experiencing:
Hopelessness
One of the most likely empty nest syndrome symptoms parents feel is a loss of purpose and feelings of hopelessness. As an active parent, your schedule was probably once filled with running around after your child, picking them up from school, dropping them at social events, or watching them play sports. Once they leave school, and or home, you might feel a lack of purpose, despite having your own work or being surrounded by other family and friends.
You might experience restlessness and a lack of motivation in your day-to-day schedule. This can lead to feelings of emotional distress, such as grief and anxiety.
Frustration
With empty nest syndrome depression, the most common symptom that parents experience is frustration. For over 18 years or more, you’ve had a certain control over your child’s life, and now that they’re leaving to live their own lives, you might feel left out.
Sometimes, children seek independence and space after moving out of their home. This sudden isolation can bring out a sense of abandonment and frustration.
Emotional Distress
When your life is suddenly changing, you can experience extreme emotions, such as a fear of getting older, worry about how this change can impact your marriage and relationship with your partner, sudden bursts of emotions like anger, grief, or tears, and even an identity crisis.
It’s okay to feel these emotions as they’re natural, but if you feel your emotions are overwhelming and overpowering your life, it may be best to seek professional support.
Anxiety
Parents are always anxious about their children’s safety and well-being, no matter their age or the situation at hand. When your child is suddenly out of your sight and control, your feeling of anxiety can increase manifold. You may try to check in on them multiple times, or experience sleeplessness and stress when they don’t answer your calls or respond immediately.
It’s important to balance your concern with allowing your child to have their privacy.
4 Tips to Cope With Empty Nest Syndrome
Depending on which stages of empty nest syndrome (anticipation, initial grief, and acceptance) you’re experiencing, there are different ways to handle it. We’ll discuss some common empty nest syndrome cures that allow you to see this transitional period more positively.
1. Focus on Your Child’s Best Interest
One of the first stages of empty nest syndrome is the anticipation of this separation. Remember that your child leaving home is a step in the right direction; they’re aiming for newer opportunities and becoming responsible adults.
Children also experience a range of emotions during this stage: fear, excitement, and nervousness. Instead of constantly telling them how distressing it is for you, focus on encouraging them and explaining how this milestone moment will be a positive change. You should never make your child feel guilty or worried about leaving home.
2. Work On Yourself
As a parent, you’ve probably always put your child’s best interests, needs, and wants over yours. The best way to cope with empty nest syndrome depression is to work on yourself, focusing on any passions that you’ve sidelined. Have you missed taking trips with your partner or friends? Is there a course you’ve been planning to do but couldn’t find the time?
Now is the perfect time to concentrate on your wants and desires. This will help you fill the gaps in your schedule and divert your mind from feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.
3. Reconnect With Your Spouse and Friends
Nurturing and raising children isn’t easy, and you’ve probably grown used to prioritising them over your friends, family, or partner. With your children gone, don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the emotions. Instead, focus on reigniting your relationship with your partner or catching up with friends who might be in the same situation as you.
The best empty nest syndrome treatment is to make plans for the future. Take that couples’ retreat you never took, go on date nights, or join a book club with your friends.
4. Seek Support
If you find yourself unable to overcome the grief and depression of your children leaving home, seek support. There are many online communities and help groups for people in a similar situation.
The best empty nest syndrome cure is to talk about your emotions with your friends and family. Letting yourself feel the sadness will allow you to process it in a positive and healthy manner.
You can also reach out to a professional hypnotherapist or counsellor to seek empty nest syndrome treatment.
Contact Susannah To Cope With Grief and Anxiety In A Positive Manner
Are you struggling with empty nest syndrome depression? I can help you overcome feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and anxiety with hypnotherapy, an effective way to identify the root cause behind your emotions and overcome limiting beliefs.
In our one-to-one sessions for empty nest syndrome, I’ll teach you how to take control of your life and feel more confident, positive, and calm about this new phase of life.
My hypnotherapy can also help you respond better to difficult situations, rather than letting them dictate your relationship and mental well-being. You can book therapy with me either in-person or online, depending on what’s best for you.
Contact me to learn more about my treatments.
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