Create “Safe Places” to Recentre Yourself (Spaces Where You Feel Safe)

Identify and prepare calming, secure places you can go to when emotions feel overwhelming.

Having two or three go-to safe spaces outside of your home is incredibly helpful for mental well-being. For me, I’ve chosen two cafés and a favorite walking route. When I go to these places, I feel better. They give me a sense of calm and safety—which is crucial when stress and anxiety hit.

Especially on hard days, I don’t have the energy or bandwidth to explore or find new places. That’s why having familiar spots in mind ahead of time—like my favorite bakery, a bright café, or a scenic overlook—makes things easier and far less draining. Planning ahead reduces the mental effort needed during tough moments and helps you get to soothing environments more quickly.

Research shows that predictability and familiarity in our surroundings can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and support emotional regulation (Evans, 2003).

By defining your own “safe places,” you’re giving yourself practical tools to handle challenging moments—offering your nervous system a break and giving your emotions space to settle.