Empty nesters

Psychologists use the phrase 'empty nest syndrome' to describe the mixture of emotions that parents can experience during this period.

If you have spent years raising a family, you may have conflicting feelings as your children become independent. You may feel you have more freedom and more disposable income. But if you have been concentrating all your energy on being a parent, your children's absence can also create a void in your life.

It’s important to be aware of any unhealthy habits you may be tempted to fall into, like drinking more alcohol.

Key issues

If you have a partner, your relationship may need redefining. The charity Relate points out that during this period communication is especially important as you try to reconnect with each other. And if you do not live with a partner, you may feel lonely in an empty house. 

These kinds of external changes can lead to depression. Be aware if you are using alcohol to try and change your mood, or if you find yourself habitually reaching for the bottle to comfort you.

And with more disposable income and leisure time, alcohol could begin to play a larger role in your social life. Although enjoying a few drinks can be great, it is important that you keep an eye on how much alcohol you are consuming. As you age, your tolerance to alcohol decreases, so you have to be more careful about how much you drink.

Risks

Although research has shown that small amounts of alcohol (one or two units a day) can have a protective effect against coronary heart disease and stroke for men over 40 and post-menopausal women, you should also be aware of the health risks of alcohol consumption as you get older.

You can also get those same health benefits without drinking alcohol – by giving up smoking, and by exercising regularly and eating healthily, for example.

Your ability to process alcohol also decreases with age. This maybe because the water content in your body has decreased, so when you drink, there is a higher concentration of alcohol in your blood.

If you’re taking any prescription medication, be aware that combining it with alcohol could put you at risk, or that drinking alcohol could reduce how well the medicine works.

As you get older it’s important to get regular health checks. If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption you should contact your GP to discuss your drinking. Your GP may also arrange for you to have liver function tests that measure the various chemicals in the blood made by the liver.

And as you go through major life changes, such as children leaving home, or spending more time with a partner and less time at work, you may get stressed and/or depressed. During tough times it’s especially important to drink sensibly, and not to use booze as an emotional crutch.

Tips to moderate your drinking

• Be aware of how many units you are consuming. If you are pouring more drinks at home, measures are likely to be larger than in a pub or restaurant.

• If you have more time on your hands, expand your interests beyond the beer garden. Plan a trip away, or take up a new sport, like swimming.

• If you find yourself socializing more, try alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.

• Get regular health check ups from your GP. And if you are concerned about your drinking ask for some liver function tests to be done.

• If you find you are drinking more because your relationship with your partner is stressful, seek counselling. A couples therapist can help you communicate – and you may only need one or two sessions to notice the difference in your relationship.

• Expand your mind. If you are unsure what to do with your free time, ditch the wine and join an evening class. You can learn anything from a new language to pottery skills.

• If you find yourself with more disposable income, set up a savings account. So instead of spending money on booze you can treat yourself to something nice occasionally, like a spa treatment or a day out.

Page last updated by

Unknown, 10 May 2012.

Page checked on

16 Sep 2008