8 Things to Do in Thousand Oaks for Self-Care

Last Updated on 10 months ago by Donna Novak, Psy.D.

As therapists in Thousand Oaks, we don’t think of self-care as a luxury; we believe it’s a necessity, especially when life starts to feel overwhelming. Whether you’re exploring new ways to manage stress, boost your mood, or just take a breather from the hustle, these 8 things to do in Thousand Oaks for self-care can help you reconnect with yourself and create real change in your routine.

We’ve seen how small moments of peace and joy, like a walk in nature or a quiet cup of tea, can support the emotional well-being of our clients and even enhance the work they do in therapy. If you’re in Thousand Oaks and you’re feeling stuck or stressed, we encourage you to try any of the options below.

8 Self-Care Activities in Thousand Oaks

1. Walk or hike at Wildwood Regional Park
   
2. Find quiet time at Thousand Oaks Library
   
3. Treat yourself to a warm or iced drink at Five07 Coffee Bar
   
4. Practice forest bathing at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
5. Practice mindfulness at Ajna Urban Yoga
   
6. Explore your creative side at Art Trek
   
7. Stroll the Gardens of the World
   
8. Book your first session of therapy in Thousand Oaks
   

1. Hike Wildwood Regional Park

Moderate exercise like hiking or long walks can boost our endorphins and lower cortisol. Hiking the trails at Wildwood Regional Park, including checking out the calming sounds of Paradise Falls, is the perfect combination for boosting your mood and regulating your central nervous system. 

Wildwood’s diverse terrain invites something called “attention restoration,” a theory suggesting that spending time in nature or natural environments can help us recover from mental fatigue and improve our cognitive functioning. If anxiety shows up on the trail, this would be the perfect place to pause and focus on your senses: feel the ground beneath your feet, note any scents that come up, and listen to the water.

2. Find Stillness at the Thousand Oaks Library

Quiet environments like the library give our brains a chance to shift from constant stimulation to reflection and quiet. Studies show that stepping into a low-noise space can slow the heart rate and improve concentration within minutes. And reading, particularly fiction, can enhance empathy, allowing us to “try on” other perspectives and strengthen our emotional intelligence. If you’ve been working on limiting screen time, spending even an hour surrounded by physical books provides a structured, screen-free reset.

Pair this library date with tips from our blog, “14 Things Not to Do If You Have Anxiety”, and you might be surprised how much calmer you feel by the end of your visit.

3. Sip Something at Five07 Coffee Bar

This local gem is a favorite among our therapists, creatives, and coffee lovers in Thousand Oaks. Five07 has cozy seating, awesome artwork, and decor that inspires deep conversation or even journaling. I like to think of it as a transitional space between work and home, which can give your nervous system a chance to downshift during a break or after work. 

Sipping something warm, or even iced, is one of my favorite grounding rituals that helps calm the nervous system. Temperature-based sensory experiences are a simple but effective way to self-soothe when you need self-care in a pinch. Try this mindfulness technique the next time you’re at Five07: 

• Feel the warmth or chill of the cup against your palms. 
• Inhale the scent of coffee or tea slowly. 
• Take one sip, and notice the texture and flavor on your tongue. 
• Let yourself fully experience this moment without rushing. 

This small act of being in the present moment, just you and your drink, can offer a break from mental clutter, especially during those stressful or overstimulating days.

4. Practice Forest Bathing at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

“Forest bathing” (also known as “shirin-yoku”) is the Japanese practice of spending time in nature. The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is one of my favorite places for this. It’s a peaceful 33-acre spot tucked right into the middle of Thousand Oaks, CA. You can explore its winding trails, take in any one of its 15 hillside gardens, or follow its riparian stream. There are more than enough places in the Botanic Garden to practice forest bathing, helping you reduce rumination and reinforcing the mindfulness strategies we teach in therapy in Thousand Oaks.

“We often wait for burnout to give ourselves permission to rest. But self-care doesn’t have to be earned; it can be a regular part of staying well.” 

– Dr. Donna Novak

5. Practice Mindfulness at Ajna Urban Yoga

Mind-body practices like yoga help improve emotional regulation by linking breath to movement. At Ajna Urban Yoga, just a short drive from Thousand Oaks, classes usually incorporate guided breathwork and restorative poses that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering anxiety and improving sleep quality. For those processing or healing their trauma, gentle yoga helps rebuild a sense of safety in the body, which pairs well with the work we do in our therapy sessions.

6. Try an Art Class or Workshop at Art Trek

Creative expression helps us facilitate non-verbal processing of our emotions. Research indicates that even brief art-making sessions can decrease cortisol and increase dopamine, giving us a sense of accomplishment and joy. I love recommending Art Trek for this very reason. They offer workshops for adults and teens in painting, journaling, and even community art nights. During the summer, they even provide art camp for kids of various ages. Creativity gives us the outlet to process emotions when words are hard to find. This is a great pairing with mental health work, especially if our kids or teens are navigating anxiety, identity, or family transitions.

7. Visit the Gardens of the World

I couldn’t talk about things to do in Thousand Oaks without mentioning Gardens of the World. And trust me, it’s completely different from Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, which is exactly why it deserves its own shoutout. Gardens of the World features beautifully themed spaces like Japanese, Italian, French, English, and even a Mission Courtyard that highlights early California history. If you’re into culture or storytelling through design, this spot offers a meaningful way to connect with both.

Several of my clients have shared how walking through these gardens helps them feel more grounded and present, two goals we regularly work on in anxiety therapy in Thousand Oaks.

8. Book a Therapy Session in Thousand Oaks

Of course, one of the most impactful forms of self-care is with professional support. Working with a therapist in Thousand Oaks can help you identify the root of your stress, improve communication in your relationships, and build long-lasting tools for emotional wellness. Therapy in Thousand Oaks is not just about managing symptoms; it’s really about transforming the way you live, relate, and take care of yourself. When you combine therapy with lifestyle habits like some of the ones above, it becomes a powerful tool in your overall self-care routine. If you’re looking for a therapist to walk alongside your self-care journey, we’re here to help. Reach out for a free consultation at (805) 842-1994 to learn more about our team of licensed therapists.