What to do When the Kids are Gone

What Now? 5 Fulfilling Ways to Make the Most of an Empty Nest

The kids are gone. The house is clean and too quiet, leaving you wondering: “What, exactly, do I do now?”

After years of carting your children between soccer practice and piano lessons, suddenly finding yourself with lots of free time can feel challenging and even discouraging. Empty nest syndrome — a condition defined as “feelings of depression, sadness, and/or grief experienced by parents and caregivers after children come of age and leave their childhood homes — is a very real phenomenon.

But this time of transition and change doesn’t have to be negative. Instead, it can be a time of personal and professional growth, a time to focus on yourself, your interests, and your goals.

Here are five ways to do just that.

1. Invest in Continued Education

It’s never too late to go back to school. In fact, statistics show increasing numbers of older adults pursuing a degree. From 2000 to 2010, the National Center for Education Statistics reported a staggering 42% increase in college students age 25 and older, compared to the 34% increase in students younger than 25. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also show that individuals with a master’s degree make over $11,000 more a year on average than those with just a bachelor’s degree.

Whether you want to embark on a new career, start a business, expand your skill set, or simply learn more about a topic of interest, investing in continued education is a great way to stimulate your mind, foster personal growth, and grow your professional network.

If you want to further your education — but the idea of returning to a college campus is less than appealing — consider online education. This avenue is becoming increasingly popular. Based on federal data from more than 4,700 colleges and universities, more than 6.3 million students in the U.S., most of whom were undergraduates, took at least one online course in Fall 2016, a 5.6 percent increase from the previous year.

“The skills you will inevitably gain… are invaluable.”

Online courses are often less expensive and more flexible than the traditional classroom, making them a great option for students of all ages. Whichever program you choose, the skills you will inevitably gain — writing and communicating, thinking critically about relevant issues, and developing a broader understanding of the world around you — are invaluable.

2. Seek Out Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is a healthy way to move past the heartache of the post-parenting years — and improve the world around you. Whether you’re interested in animals, counseling, sports, or nursing, there are numerous volunteer opportunities available in every area. Identify your interests and find an organization that best fits your skill set. Whether you serve others at a church, hospital, school, shelter, or charity, volunteering — even if it’s for just a few hours a week — is a great way to positively impact your local community.

Volunteering isn’t simply an altruistic gesture; it also contributes to self-fulfillment. In a paper published by Harvard Health, authors noted that volunteers experience the “happiness effect.” Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being “very happy” rose 7% among those who volunteer monthly and 12% for people who volunteer every two to four weeks. Additionally, studies show that volunteering helps reduce stress, combats depression, and provides a sense of purpose.

3. Focus on Your Spiritual Health

Amid the busyness of child-rearing, focusing on your spiritual health can sometimes fall by the wayside. With the increased quiet time an empty nest provides, why not dedicate a few hours to your spiritual growth and development? Spending time in the Bible, praying, or reading a good book focused on faith can ease anxiety, diminish depression, and invigorate and renew your mind.

Dr. Charles Stanley: Radio Host and Pastor of In Touch Ministries in Atlanta, puts it this way:

“What we are today is the result of what we have been thinking and the way we have lived in the past… We reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow.”

Becoming active in your local church is another excellent way to foster spiritual growth. Numerous studies have also found that religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than non-believers. A 2015 survey by researchers at the London School of Economics and the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that participating in a religious organization was the only social activity associated with long-term happiness, outweighing the benefits of volunteering for a charity, taking educational courses, or participating in a political or community organization.

4. Invest in Your Physical Health

Physical health, just like spiritual health, is essential to overall well-being. By exercising a few times a week, your body will produce more endorphins, which are hormones that can make you happier and reduce depression and anxiety. Additionally, a recent Harvard study found that exercise creates an upward spiral of healthy behaviors and positive emotions.

Identify something you love — whether it’s walking, dancing, gardening, or yoga — and dedicate a few hours a week to participating in that activity. The correlation between positive emotions and healthy behaviors cannot be underestimated.

5. Grow Your Relationships

Oftentimes, when children leave the house, couples find that much of their marriage was centered around their offspring and their various activities. Now that the children have gone, many couples find they need to get to know each other again.

Even if your marriage is strong and healthy, there is always room for growth and development. Spend time with your spouse, go on a vacation together, and work to reinvigorate your love for one another. Take up a hobby or recreational activity (for example, golf) that the two of you can learn to enjoy together.

Single parents can also combat loneliness by developing new friendships and/or taking the time to improve already existing friendships. Invite someone over for a casual dinner party, ask a friend to participate in a workout class, join a local church group, or simply resolve to entertain more often.

You can also put your years of experience and wisdom to work — consider spending time with a young person in your community who is separated from his or her mother or father and who could benefit from the influence of a seasoned mentor.

Empty nesting is a time of transition and change, and can, for some parents, be a stressful and scary time. Choose to embrace these years and make them a time of personal and professional growth by investing in your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health.

If you’re interested in furthering your education online, consider Liberty University. With over 240 master’s degrees and over 50 doctoral degrees, most of which are available 100% online, Liberty is sure to have the program you’re looking for.

And if you want to invest in the future by influencing the next generation, learn more about Liberty University and tell someone about the endless possibilities available. Contact us today to learn more!