Volunteer cares for shelter dogs to boost her mental well-being

CALGARY — Self-care is one of those things that’s often misunderstood. Many people think it means luxurious spa days, vacations or shopping splurges. Others believe it’s only for people dealing with mental health challenges.

While these activities can be part of self-care, at heart it’s much simpler — meeting your basic needs and making choices that support your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Jory McMillan, clinical supervisor of Walk in Services at The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience, defines self-care as “the activities that I do for myself so that I can show up as the person I want to be — for myself and for the people I care about in my life.”

He adds that people often see self-care as something to do after they finish their to-do lists, but in reality, it should come first. “These are the things I need to do to help me complete my other tasks.”

McMillan also emphasizes that self-care can be simple and personal.

“People need different things for self-care, and that’s OK. It might be going for a walk, choosing to rest instead of pushing through, staying in the car a little longer to finish a song, or even picking a pudding cup over a fruit cup — something small that feels good.”

For Petra Baker, self-care is essential for maintaining her mental well-being — even though she doesn’t live with mental illness. She believes it’s important for everyone to look after their mental health. Currently, Petra is in the middle of a job search in marketing, which can be stressful. But instead of letting the challenge overwhelm her, she focuses on staying grounded.

“Self-care for me means being self-compassionate,” she says. “It’s about taking time out of a busy day to reset. Looking for a job can be stressful, but I try to stay active, take courses, read and make time for things that keep me balanced.”

One of Petra’s biggest sources of fulfilment is volunteering at an animal shelter.

“Volunteering is my way of giving back, and it helps me focus on something positive. I love helping dogs who haven’t found their forever homes — it gives me purpose, and I’ve met some great people through it.”

When she’s not at the shelter, Petra enjoys hiking with her fiancé and their dog, Rudy. She also practises meditation regularly. “Meditation helps me feel more present and calmer, especially during uncertain times.”

So why does volunteering help us feel better?

McMillan says it builds a sense of accomplishment and connection — both important for mental wellness. “Volunteering creates meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose. The real magic is that acts of kindness actually benefit the giver. Maybe that’s the paycheque for altruism.”

When deciding what you need for your own self-care, McMillan encourages people not to feel pressure to stick to a rigid routine.

“If you struggle with self-care, focus on what you can do instead of what you wish you could do. Check in with yourself — ‘Did I do anything for me today?’ If not, be gentle. Just think about what you can try tomorrow.”