The bonds between humans and animals are powerful. And the positive correlation between pets and mental health is undeniable.
According to a 2015 Harris poll, 95 percent of pet owners think of their animal as a member of the family. And that’s true no matter how old we are. Children, adolescents, adults, and seniors all find joy in their pets. Therefore, pets and mental health go hand in hand. Furthermore, research validates the benefits of pets for mental health. The mental health benefits of owning a dog or cat have been proven by many scientific studies. Animals help with depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition, they provide companionship and ease loneliness. Moreover, pets bring us joy and unconditional love.
Here are 6 Benefits Pets have on our Well-Being
1. Pets lower Stress and Anxiety
Moreover, interacting with a friendly dog or a cat reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. And it increases the release of oxytocin—another chemical in the body that reduces stress naturally. Furthermore, the sensory act of stroking a pet lowers blood pressure.
2. Certain Pets Help us Spending more time in Nature
Certain pets, like dogs, need time outdoors, so if you have a dog, you’re more likely to leave the house and get fresh air. Therefore, the researchers had discovered physical evidence of the mental health benefits of pets as well as benefits for your skin since the stress level is lowered significantly.
Read more in our Blog about Stress and the effects on our skin --> "Monitor your skin's stress level".
3. Pets make us Feel more Needed
People feel more needed and wanted when they have a pet to care for. The act of caretaking has mental health benefits. Caring for another living thing gives us a sense of purpose and meaning and therefor help us feel more happy in our life.
4. Pets Encourage us to Exercise More
Certain pets, such as dogs, require regular exercise, which means that you too might get more exercise as a result. Doing Cardio daily for at least 30 minutes is important for the blood circulation of your skin and to flush out toxins by sweating.
5. Pets increase the Sense of Self - Esteem and Wellbeing
In the first study, 217 people answered questions about their well-being, personality type, and attachment style. And pet owners were happier, healthier, and better adjusted than non-owners.
A second experiment involved 56 dog owners. Researchers examined pet owners’ feelings about their pets. In addition, they measured their well-being. One group of people reported that their dogs / cats increased their feelings of belonging, self-esteem, and meaning. Thus, these participants showed greater overall well-being than the other participants.
6. Cats and Dogs Are Great Examples of Being in the Moment
Pets live in the moment. In other words, they don’t worry about what happened yesterday. Moreover, they aren’t worried about what might happen tomorrow. As a result, pets can help people become more mindful. Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Therefore, pets can help teens enjoy and appreciate the present moment.
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