Psychologist Sandra Alejo provided guidance on managing empty nest syndrome during a recent broadcast of the program "Miércoles de Salud" in Colombia.

This transition often triggers significant emotional distress for parents, making professional guidance essential for maintaining mental health during a child's move toward independence.

Alejo, a maternal and perinatal psychologist, appeared at the RCN Televisión studios to discuss the signals and causes of this emotional phase. The program focused on providing tools for parents to navigate the complex feelings that arise when their children leave the home to establish their own lives.

According to Psychology Today, empty nest syndrome refers to the distress and other complicated emotions parents often experience when their children leave home [2]. This period is characterized by a shift in identity, and a reconfiguration of the parental role.

During the segment, Alejo said the psychological mechanisms behind these feelings and offered specific strategies to cope with the void left by departing children. The discussion emphasized the importance of recognizing these emotions as a natural part of the family lifecycle rather than a pathology.

Parents were encouraged to seek support and develop new personal interests to fill the time previously dedicated to active daily childcare. By addressing the root causes of the anxiety, parents can transition from a role of constant supervision to one of supportive guidance from a distance.

The broadcast served as a resource for families facing this transition, highlighting that while the experience is common, the emotional toll can be significant if not managed with proper tools [1].

“The empty nest syndrome refers to the distress and other complicated emotions parents often experience when their children leave home.”

The focus on empty nest syndrome in public health programming reflects a broader recognition of the mental health challenges associated with life stage transitions. By framing the experience as a manageable psychological phase rather than a crisis, health professionals aim to reduce the stigma around parental grief and encourage the development of new coping mechanisms for adults in the 'sandwich generation' or late-parenthood stage.