The “empty nest syndrome” is that feeling of sadness and loss that accompanies your children leaving home for the last time. It could happen when they go to college or move out on their own. At first, you may enjoy having your home to yourself, but there will likely be a noticeable absence in your life.

For mothers who stayed at home with their children, the effect can be devastating. Your day revolved around the care of your family and now a big chunk of that is disappearing. It will be more important for you to discover a new dream and purpose now.

It will seem strange at first when you don’t have to rush home or take someone to practice. After work, you can just come home and do nothing if that’s what you want.

Making Life Fulfilling Again

Here are some ways that you can regroup and get a handle on where your life is going:

* Find a job – For those who had put their professional life on hold to care for their children, a new job may be just what you need to fill the void in your day. You may not need the money, but you can still benefit from the new stimuli and tasks.

* Take up the challenge – There will be a void, so aim to fill it. Think back to the time before you had children and pursue something that you love once again. Be adventurous and learn a new skill. Don’t do it because you have to, but because you want to.

* Spend time with your spouse – It is easy to lose touch during the years when your children are growing up. Behave as though you are dating again. Forge new paths in your relationship. Take a trip that you have always dreamt about.

* Volunteer – Now that you have helped your children, help others. Volunteer work connects us with the world as a whole and gives us purpose. Many organizations around your city could use your expertise.

* Find projects to complete – There is sure to be something around the house that you have been dying to do for years. It might be planting a garden, building a deck, or painting a room or two. Once the children are gone is the perfect time to get started.

* Spend time with friends – Call up those girlfriends who are also experiencing empty-nest syndrome and have some fun. Have lunch out, spend a day at the spa, or just get together and begin a book club. You have the time, so fill it with laughs and friendship.

Life doesn’t end when the children leave home. Discover new things about yourself that result in a richer, fuller life in the years ahead.

Our live include a lot of stages. It is a new stage when our children grow up and leave to attend college or to move out on their own, and gone are the days when all of our plans centered on them.

Just because our children are eager to leave, doesn’t mean that we are eager to see them go. For parents, it means that a journey that began eighteen years ago or longer is coming to an end.

What do we do now is the question that faces many empty-nesters. For so long the purpose of their lives has been tied to their children and they are not prepared for what comes next. Here are some ideas to help you get prepared mentally for this day:

* Teach your children to be independent – The last thing any parent wants to do is cripple their children. Always being there to rescue them keeps them dependent on you and not on themselves. Let them find a summer job, balance a checkbook and take responsibility for chores around the home.

* Grieve the loss of this chapter of your life – There are many things that happen in life that can feel much like a death, and children leaving home is one of them. It is all right to be sad because your children are all grown up and wanting to live their own lives. Take the time to get used to the changes that will come in your life.

* Develop a support system – Talk to friends who are already empty-nesters or who are going through the same transition. Discuss your feelings and what may be over the horizon for both of you.

* Talk to your children – They may notice that you are feeling down. Let them know how you feel. You may be surprised how your teenager will react. What a surprise it will be to hear “thank you” fall from their lips when they refer to all that you have done for them. Believing that you have done well as a parent can aid in feeling good about making this transition in your life.

* Revisit your attitude on life – Now that your teen is leaving, you should redefining what you now want from life.  Identifying your purpose can give you new hope and a fresh outlook on the future.

Don’t despair when your teens leave the nest. Embrace the change in their life and yours.

The loss of connections can lead to forgetfulness and other cognitive changes. Maybe you don’t have the sharpest reflexes any more. Maybe you used to be able to come up with a solution to a problem right away, whereas now it takes you longer.

How to Stay Sharp into Older Age

You can continue to be sharp with these suggestions:

* Eat for a healthy brain – Feed the brain and it will remember. Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids for cellular integrity and reduced inflammation. Eat more vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains. Reduce intake of processed foods and artificial preservatives.

* Take care of your health – The brain is affected by many different conditions. For instance, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels needed to carry oxygen to the brain. It can also loosen cholesterol plaque that can break off and cause a stroke. Decrease your weight, lower your blood pressure and take care of your heart to help your brain. Visit your doctor regularly to get ahead of any potential problems.

* Exercise – Exercise is good for a strong body, bones and a clear mind. It increases the oxygenation of the brain cells, which leads to clarity and focus. Exercise also lowers blood pressure and increases endurance, balance and fitness.

* Play games – These are not just any games. Try a game that challenges your mind. These can be crossword puzzles, word searches, word scrambles, picture puzzles, finish the pattern puzzles and others of this nature. Another popular game to play is Sudoku. Not only does it involve strategy but also math skills, which many forget as they get older.

* Access your memory – Try remembering nursery rhymes, limericks, playtime songs and others. Accessing deeper memories can improve your recall over time.

* Stop smoking – Smoking has been linked to the signs of dementia. While forgetfulness is to be expected as you age, serious cognitive problems are not. That includes dementia.

If you are aging, don’t worry about your memory. You can stay sharp with the above tips to challenge your brain.

Stress is our reaction to stimuli around us. Some stress can spur us on to perform at a higher level.

Other types of situations can cause us to take up bad habits to compensate. When there is no outlet for stressful feelings on the job or at home, the result can be poor health and ruined relationships.

The Benefits of Hobbies

Many people discount hobbies as a waste of time, but maybe they have never tried them. A hobby can be categorized as any activity that brings a reward beyond monetary, enriches your life, provides mental stimulation and, most of all, relieves stress. It gives you time away from ordinary activities that you must do and frees you up to do something that you want to do.

A hobby occupies the mind in new ways. Television is not considered a hobby because there is no occupation of the mind. You are entertained through visual stimulus, but that doesn’t create new pathways in the brain. The mind could still be brooding over a problem at work even though the eyes are trained on the screen.

Identifying a Hobby

Choosing a hobby may not be as easy as you think. It takes some research and planning to find just the one that suits your needs. Here are some suggestions:

* Choose something that interests you – Family and friends may make suggestions based on what they like, but your tastes may be different. Try their suggestions, but don’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t work out. Take an inventory of your likes and dislikes to get you started.

* Discover your passions – If you have a desire to create, look into the arts. You may not be great at drawing, but your imagination may lead you to creative writing or building things. A long-time passion can be turned into a hobby with the right plan.

* Find time to engage in it – Set aside time for your hobby. This can be daily or weekly if the situations in your life call for it. Don’t neglect other responsibilities to participate. You want to have a time that is not used for anything else to freely indulge your hobby.

* Consider your finances – A hobby shouldn’t cause you to overspend, but should be relaxing. You might like sports, but something such as learning how to fly may cost more than you can afford right now. Opt for a challenging sport that can be done for a fraction of the cost. Remember, you don’t want your hobby to create a new set of worries in your life.

Hobbies can enhance your life. Choose well so that you can reap joy from it for many years.

Stress-Busting Tips

* Begin your work day at home – Each day is different. Thinking about yesterday’s disaster at work can add unneeded stress to your workday today. Decide to begin each new work day by blocking out what has happened the day before and looking forward to a new experience with an upbeat attitude.

* Know your job description and what is expected of you – Many times it is hard to say no when someone asks you to take on extra work. If it is outside of your job description, don’t feel bad if you have to refuse the assignment. While everyone wants to grow at their job, right now may not be the best time for you to try to tackle more, especially if you already have a full load. This can take the pressure off of you to say yes when you know that you are not required to do so.

* Organize your desk – If you are in a hurry, it is nice to be able to place your hand on exactly what you need. A messy desk can place added pressure on you that is not necessary.

* Avoid office politics – It can be all too easy to get caught up in someone else’s issues at work. If a co-worker comes to you for advice, offer to listen to them but leave it at that. Going to the boss on their behalf can lead to a tarnished relationship for you with management.

* Get exercise – You can take a short walk at lunchtime. Increasing your oxygen levels improves cardiovascular fitness and boosts clarity, immunity and problem-solving skills.

* Add humor to your day – Instead of getting into the bad mood or sour attitude of others, stay upbeat. Tell yourself a joke. If you work on a computer, subscribe to a joke-a-day website so that you get daily injections of humor to lighten the mood and alleviate pressure.

* Listen to music – It can calm not only your mind, but also your soul. Listen at work and at home to reduce stress levels by the time you see your family.

Even the best jobs can be stressful at times. Keep your stress level to a minimum with these handy tips.

Stress at school is not just academic, however. Children have to maintain their studies while participating in school activities, sports, nurturing friendships and working. It can be a tough load if they don’t know how to handle it. Many adults don’t even have to juggle that much on a daily basis.

Tips to Manage Stress

* Stay organized – From the beginning of the school year, make sure that your children are staying on top of their homework and other assignments. Keep a separate notebook for each class so nothing gets lost or misplaced.

* Study a little each day – One way that many children study is cramming. They will have all their knowledge in their heads for the exam, but it will evaporate afterwards. That means it will be harder to study for the next test if it builds on the information they have already learned. Instead, advise your children to read over their notes each night so that the information is still fresh in their minds.

* Get a good night’s sleep – Sleep is a hard task for many students. With all of their activities, sleep time is usually cut short. Over time, lack of sleep can increase stress levels by decreasing concentration and memory retention. Try to set a specific bedtime each night so that they get at least eight to ten hours of sleep.

* Talk to your children – When children get stressed, it helps to get them talking. Voicing your concerns allows others to offer suggestions for solving them. Armed with solutions, your children can better cope with whatever comes their way throughout the day.

* Enlist the help of others – If your children are having trouble in a particular subject, find a tutor. Getting help at the beginning can avoid homework and exam stress.

* Begin early – If there is a project due in three weeks, waiting until the last week could pose a time crunch, especially if other assignments are also due around the same time. If they begin now while they have time, they can address any obstacles they might face and finish early. This can reduce the amount of worry they have to deal with.

* Limit after-school activities – Colleges want to see well-rounded applicants, but too many activities can be counterproductive. Children should choose a couple that they like and concentrate on increasing participation instead of increasing the number of activities.

School can be just as stressful as work in the adult world. Here are some tips to avoid it in your children.

Think of all that children have to deal with: classwork, school activities, friends, self-image and growing up. Going through the changes that occur with each age level can bring about enough anxiety to lead to stress in children.

Symptoms of Stress

Here are some ways to recognize stress in children:

* Change in appetite – Children love to eat. If your children are showing less than their usual interest in meals or they skip meals due to a stomachache, it could be stress related.

* Irritability – When children have a hard time figuring things out, it can lead to frustration. This may show itself in the simplest of tasks at home. After only one try, they may throw their toy or project aside and storm off.

* Sleeplessness – Your children may wake up early in the morning or come to the breakfast table with dark circles under their eyes. This is more than likely because stress is leading to insomnia. Another symptom of sleeplessness can be an increased incidence of nightmares.

* Withdrawal – Stress can lead to a withdrawal from friends or pleasurable activities. Children rarely stay inside if they have a good reason to be outside.

* Whining – Children may do some of that but as they assert their independence, less and less is exhibited. Children who seem needier than normal could have a stress issue.

* Mood swings – Children experience these, too. A generally happy child may become angry or manic for no reason. If the change continues to occur, they may be overwhelmed in some area of their lives.

* Dropping grades – This is almost a sure sign that something has changed, especially if your children are used to achieving high marks. Talking to a teacher may shed some light on the cause. Also, check their book bags for hidden test papers with low grades that they may have been keeping from you.

Children are people pleasers. They do not want to disappoint their parents or their teachers. Trying to live up to expectations placed on them can be a catalyst for stress. Talk to your children. Assure them that you want to help them avoid stress as much as possible.

Chronic anxiety is a part of a series of conditions called generalized anxiety disorders. They include panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, phobias and social anxiety disorders. Where others may feel overwhelmed in a situation and then recover, those who experience chronic anxiety always find themselves back in this situation no matter what they do.

Chronic anxiety is a condition that may begin as normal worry. A situation in your life may cause you to begin fretting about the present or the future. Over time, these thoughts consume you and dictate your actions. What some people may push aside and forget about, others will continue lamenting.

Anxiety is not uncommon. A person who changes their life in answer to increased anxious thoughts may be experiencing a more severe problem. If you have been experiencing any of the following symptoms for at least six months, see your doctor. They can suggest a course of treatment which may involve seeing a psychologist. Official diagnosis of chronic anxiety requires at least six months of unrelenting symptoms.

Signs of Chronic Anxiety

* Digestive issues – When we are upset or nervous about a situation, we get “butterflies” in our stomach. This can happen before a public speech. What is not normal is when the issues are more progressive and don’t go away after the event has passed. They can include heartburn, cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

* Chest pain – Often associated with heart attacks and angina, chest pains may arise when you think of a certain situation in your life. It can also bring on heart palpitations or shortness of breath.

* Irritability – Anxiety can lead to a state of restlessness. The constant thoughts that you can’t get away from can make you impatient with yourself, especially if you desperately want to change.

* Insomnia – Sleeplessness is a sign of worry. The mind takes time to calm down at night, but it is harder to complete this process and get to sleep when you are filled with anxious thoughts.

* Confusion – Some people view anxiety as being in a fog. The perceptions and thoughts alter how you see your life. You are also easily distracted by new thoughts that lead to anxious feelings. You may feel as though you are losing your mind because you can’t control your thoughts or your response to them.

Those who experience anxiety disorders don’t have to live in fear or shame. There is treatment that can reduce or totally relieve the symptoms by getting at the underlying condition.

Have you ever heard of “eustress”? The prefix “-eu” means “good.” Stress can have an upside. Seeing someone else performing better than you can cause you to step up your game and sharpen your skills. This works well in sports competitions and is motivation for getting the most out of life.

When stress levels are high they elicit the “fight or flight” response. The body prepares to go to battle if it has to. Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream. Muscles tense to prepare to stay and fight or run. Pupils dilate to take in the entire surroundings.

When we learn to handle stress, this response is not exhibited all the time. The body only reverts back to this instinctual path during times of real danger. On the other hand, when stress is out of control, you may experience this heightened state more often than you need to.

These levels of stress take their toll on the body.  If you are overstressed, you may begin to notice these signs and symptoms:

* Dizziness

* Sleeplessness

* Difficulty concentrating

* Fatigue

* Irritability

* Loss of appetite

* Decreased sex drive

Fighting Back

You can combat these symptoms in the following ways, which are designed to help you deal with stressors in your life and change their effect on you for good:

* Make a plan – Many times, stress occurs because we don’t take the time to add order to our lives. If you are always in traffic in the morning, it might be because you are running late. Work on getting to bed earlier so you can rise on time and avoid the traffic.

* Take time for yourself – Even the busiest person needs a time-out. If your evenings are booked, decide to get up early in the morning to spend a peaceful thirty minutes alone. Use that time to read, meditate, listen to music or something entirely different. The purpose is to calm the mind and the body.

* Visualization – This technique helps because you actively see yourself overcoming the stressors in your life. Go through the motions of how you would deal with the stress and then actually do it.

* Exercise – A stress-relieving exercise is yoga, which combines stretches that help to tone muscles and also promote relaxation. The mind-body connection is cultivated.

Stress can be good and bad. Use it to motivate you instead of making you sick. Use the suggestions above to begin to push back the stressors in your life and get a handle on things.

The thing about yogic practice is that you are never too old to learn. You can begin right now and reap benefits that can improve the next twenty or thirty years of your life. Qigong is a Taoist yoga practice that combines the mind and body in harmony together.

In Oriental practice, qi is also called “chi” (pronounced “chee”). This refers to the life force that runs throughout the body. Each person has a life force that guides their life. It is this qi that keeps the body and mind in balance. For a healthy life, a balanced and unobstructed flow of qi is needed.

Qi flows through what are termed meridian lines. These run along the body and intersect at different points.

Physical Benefits

Qigong may involve movement of the body or movement of the mind. There are different forms of teaching here. With the body experiencing yoga movements, there are physical benefits that go along with it.

The body experiences a greater flexibility, stamina and balance. Muscles are more pliable, which leads to greater balance and fewer injuries to the body during daily movements. For busy people, increased stamina is like a boost to the body to keep you moving.

Another physical benefit is total body health. Through movement, any obstructions in the energy flow results in a warm feeling throughout the body. This results in positive changes in the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems, to name a few.

Restoring the flow of qi can release toxins from the body to be eliminated via the lymphatic system, which results in better-looking skin and also deeper restorative sleep.

Mental Benefits

Some practices of qigong involve focusing the mind to improve the mind/body connection. To focus the energy, one can learn to concentrate on the breathing. This type of practice can result in greater mental clarity and an opening of the “third eye” which gives you insight into higher spiritual plains.

With a relaxed and enlightened mind, one can also achieve emotional peace. Those who practice forms of qigong have noticed that they experience deeper emotions of joy, satisfaction, and acceptance of themselves and others. When situations of loss and grief are experienced, the process of dealing with them is better handled.

For any form of yogic practice like qigong, it takes a measure of dedication to keep the flow of life energy moving through the body unobstructed. For more information and a trained teacher, check for local classes in your area.