black & white image of beautiful long haired brunette woman in black lace leaning in and applying lipstick in mirror reflection as form of self-care
You might be wondering why self-care is important. Let’s start with the basic definition: self-care is any activity that you do deliberately in order to take care of your mental, emotional, or physical health. It’s about giving yourself the time and attention that you need to stay healthy and happy.

Self care is important for maintaining your mental and physical health, but it can be hard to know where to start and to find the time. If you’re an active woman looking for some self-care ideas, you’ve come to the right place!. Here, five busy women give you a few self-care ideas that you can start implementing today.

From trying an adventurous skin routine to finding a safe exercise, here are five answers to the question, “What are your favorite ways of practicing self-care for women over 40?”

Explore the World of Skincare

One of my favorite ways to practice self-care is to try something new and adventurous with my skincare routine. 
Instead of sticking to the same old products, I explore new options. I try new moisturizers and face masks, or I see a specialist to discuss concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation. There are so many new and exciting products that can revitalize my skin! 

Reduce Stress With Facial Massage Therapy

Facial massage is a non-invasive technique that improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce inflammation and puffiness in the face. It also helps to promote collagen production, which can cause firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin. 

Facial massage therapy can help reduce stress and tension, which are major factors affecting skin health. So, indulge in a weekly facial massage yourself or visit a professional therapist for an ultimate pampering experience. This will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Buy a Bra that Makes You Look and Feel Good

I know firsthand that a fantastic self-care practice is receiving a professional bra fitting that makes you stand up straight and feel supported, confident, and sexy! With 8 in 10 women wearing the wrong size bra (as reported by Wacoal Lingerie), we find it amazing how much of an improvement women experience when correctly fitted. After being fitted, they come out of the fitting room feeling happy, loving their curves, and ready to tackle any obstacle that comes their way!

Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra
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Exercise to Improve Your Well-Being

It seems like a cliché or something your doctor would tell you, but for me, exercise is a personal necessity. I have several medical issues that make it painful to move some days, but when I maintain a consistent exercise routine and change as needed, my overall well-being improves. 

My mental health, energy level, and ability to sleep well are all things that I attribute to a consistent exercise routine. Many women would make the claim that exercise is a necessity; not self-care; however, I believe that self-care is about the individual. Exercise is torture for some, a necessity for many, and self-care for few. It is important to note that I have worked with a physical therapist for neck injuries and personal trainers to understand what types of exercises are safe for me.

Connect With Nature

One of my favorite atypical ways of practicing self-care for women over 40 is to get outside and connect with nature. Whether it’s a short walk around the block or an all-day hike, getting out into nature can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, boost your mood, and help to clear your head. 
Taking a few moments out of your day to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around you can be a great way to practice self-care and look after your own mental health.
Self-care is important because it helps you manage stress, cope with anxiety and depression, boost your mood, and improve your overall physical health. Setting aside time for self-care isn’t a practice solely for women over forty, but rather, it is a practice that should start from a young age. Actively practicing self-care from a young age can help us develop and grow, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It’s important to have those routines in place for self-care over forty, and it’s easier if it’s already a habit. When you make self-care a priority, you’re taking care of yourself in the best way possible — and that’s something worth doing!
         Try one of these 5 self-care ideas and let us know what you think. Already have a routine? Tell us about your favorite self-care practice in the comments.

Rya Michele is a wife, mother of three, registered nurse, and photographer. She’s also a proud feminist and women’s advocate who believes in giving women the tools they need to feel beautiful and empowered.

She started her business as a way to combine her love of photography with her passion for helping women feel good about themselves—and it’s been going well! 

She loves travel and trying new things—and when they’re combined with photography? Even better!

If you’re looking for someone to help you plan your dream boudoir session, look no further! Book a consultation call with Rya today!


I love sharing my blog posts with you and hearing your feedback, but sometimes it’s nice to send a little something extra! I don’t email often, but if you’re interested, I am here to serve you so be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter where you’ll be notified of my upcoming offers, promotions, retreats, events and more! It’s worth it, I promise!~Rya 💋