In a previous blog, I wrote about one of my favorite places to unwind. It’s my self-care hangout. In my opinion, every woman needs a place to get away, relax, recharge, and support her mental wellness. Mental and physical health are connected.

According to University of Iowa Health Care, our mental health can affect our physical health, including cardiovascular health, blood pressure, immune function, sleep, and other areas of our well-being. Aging well is essential, both physically and mentally. So, let me share a few reasons why I believe having a self-care place matters, along with some ideas to help you find yours.

Why Do I Need to Leave Home to Relax and Recharge?

You built a wonderful home for yourself. It’s perfectly you. At your fingertips, you have everything you need. I’m proud of you. So why am I asking you to leave your comfy home? Because sometimes simply getting away from our everyday environment can give us an opportunity to slow down, move, breathe, and experience a change of scenery.

Simply getting out can encourage you to move your body, even if it’s only a short walk. Stepping outside gives you a change from the indoor environment and an opportunity to slow down and breathe. Spending some time outdoors can be part of a healthy self-care routine, too. And sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what we need to mentally step away from the responsibilities waiting for us at home.

Those are just a few of the potential benefits of finding a self-care environment outside your home. When you occasionally add social connections to your getaways, you may find that you enjoy your self-care time in a completely different way.

If you are an introvert, I get you. A part of me is, too. Getting out of your four walls does not mean you have to interact with people. It could simply mean reading a book at the park instead of in your recliner. And it does not mean you have to get out daily.

There have been weeks when I was at The Enclave five days. There have also been weeks when I’ve gone only once or twice. Even getting away occasionally can give you a change of scenery and time that’s intentionally yours. I’m not giving you a formula. We are all uniquely designed by our Creator. What works for one person may not be what’s best for another.

What Should I Do at My Self-Care Place?

What if you did nothing? You could just be. Breathe. Relax. For some of us, that’s difficult. Many of us are on the go constantly. Learning how to do nothing sounds foreign.

But you can also read, sip a favorite beverage, do needlepoint, journal, take a walk, or do something else you enjoy. I would encourage you to disconnect from your phone for a while, though. Give social media a break. Notice your surroundings. Breathe in the fresh air. Listen to sounds like birds or running water. Take a short walk if you’re able—our bodies are created for movement. Just be.

How Do I Find My Own Self-Care Place?

Well, my friend. That’s the fun part. Don’t think of it as a forever place. In my previous blog, Why Every Woman Needs Her Own Enclave, I shared how my favorite hangouts have evolved over the years. I’ve spent many years enjoying libraries, bookstores, gardens, Disneyland, the beach, and now a community hub.

But here’s the truth: I didn’t search for any of them. They organically happened. At the time, I didn’t even recognize them as my “self-care places.” They were simply places I repeatedly visited. Sometimes alone. Other times with family or friends. But each one gave me a sense of calm and relaxation. Not one of those places was pulling me to do laundry, cook dinner, or clean the house. I could just be.

What’s Your Self-Care Style?

None of us are the same. What fulfills you? Think about whether you naturally prefer being indoors or outdoors. Would you enjoy a community setting, or do you need solitude — even if other people are somewhere nearby? Maybe physical activity helps you relax, or perhaps you’d rather find a comfortable chair and stay put for a while.

Think about sound, too. Do you crave quiet, or do music, chatter, and the laughter of other people make you feel good? Most importantly, where do you naturally gravitate when you want to relax?

You may discover that you’ve already found your self-care place. You just haven’t given it a name.

What If I Can’t Leave My Home?

I am aware that not everyone is able to leave her home. Sometimes medical or physical limitations make getting out difficult or impossible. There is no reason you can’t create a sanctuary in your home.

If you are able to get outside into your backyard or patio, perhaps that can become your place. I love having trees, plants, and flowers as part of the scenery. If you don’t have any, could you pot a couple of plants? There’s something about greenery that screams self-care. Research suggests that even small amounts of greenery may help with stress relief. Listen, I absolutely do not have a green thumb. Trust me. But I do try to have some type of plant around—even if it’s short-lived. Poor plant.

Do you have a patio that could become a place of relaxation? Perhaps you could sit there to read, journal, sip your tea or coffee, or simply be.

And if going outdoors isn’t possible, perhaps a friend or family member can help you create a self-care corner inside your home. Think about what would make that corner feel peaceful to you. Maybe it’s a comfortable chair, a cozy blanket, music, a flower or plant, or something else that speaks to your soul. What a bonus if your corner is near a window that provides natural light.

Your self-care place doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It simply needs to serve you.

How Can I Start? Take the Self-Care Place Challenge

Let’s make this practical.

• Think of two or three places where you naturally feel calmer.
• Notice what those places have in common—nature, music, quiet, comfortable seating, sunshine, people, water, or something else.
• Choose one and spend 5–60 minutes there, depending on your season of life, without making the time productive.
• Pay attention to how you feel while you’re there and when you leave.
• If the experience restores you, put that place on your personal self-care list—and go back.

You don’t have to find your forever place. You’re simply discovering what helps you step away, recharge, and make a little room for yourself.

Bottom Line

Maybe you already have your place and just haven’t thought of it as self-care. Or maybe it’s time to find one. Either way, I hope you’ll give yourself permission to go there. Sometimes self-care isn’t something you buy, put on your skin, or even do. Sometimes it’s choosing a place that allows you to stop doing.

You are worth making room for, too. Keep taking the small steps that help you age well with confidence.

About Evelyn

Hi, I’m Evelyn!

For more than 26 years, I’ve been helping women over 40 care for their skin with confidence. Through Purple Essence By Evelyn, I share practical skincare education, healthy wellness habits, and intentional self-care to help women age well with grace, confidence, and purpose.

Whether you’re looking for skincare and wellness tips, product recommendations, or simple ways to prioritize yourself, I’m here to help you build a routine that’s effective, enjoyable, and easy to maintain.

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