If you’ve ever owned a pet, you already know the joy and love they can bring. But pets also have some wonderful mental and physical health benefits. Dogs in particular can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, promote exercise and sports, and even improve your heart health. Caring for a dog can help children grow up safe and active or provide meaningful companionship for adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a dog can add immense joy and love to your life.
Dogs have evolved to better adapt to humans, our behavior and emotions. Although dogs can understand most of the words we use, they are even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will watch you to gauge your emotional state and try to find out what you’re thinking and feeling (and to find out when another walk or treat might be coming). Many of us are unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can come from spending time with or having fun with a four-legged friend. It is only recently that studies have begun to scientifically examine the benefits of human-animal interactions.
Research also found that:
- Dog owners are less likely to experience depression than non-pet owners.
- People who own dogs have higher blood pressure and stress levels than people who don’t have pets. A study has found that when people with high blood pressure adopted a dog from a shelter, their blood pressure dropped significantly within five months.
- Playing with a dog or cat can increase serotonin and dopamine levels, which make you feel calm and relaxed.
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than non-pet owners.
- Patients with heart attacks in dogs live longer than those without. – Pet owners over the age of 65 make 30% fewer visits to the doctor than those without pets.
One of the reasons for these healing effects is the human need for touch. Even violent criminals in prison have shown lasting changes in their behavior when interacting with dogs, many of whom are experiencing affection for the first time. Petting, hugging or touching a loving animal can quickly calm us down when we feel stressed or anxious. The company of pets can also ease your loneliness, and many dogs provide good exercise, which can improve your mood and reduce depression.
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes plays an important role in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Caring for a dog can help you make healthy lifestyle changes by:
- Increase in physical activity. Walking the dog for a walk, walk or jog is a fun and rewarding way to fit good daily exercise into your schedule. Research has shown that dog owners are more likely to meet their daily exercise needs, and that daily exercise is good for pets as well. This will deepen the bond between you, eliminate many dog behavior problems, and make your pet healthy and happy.
- Give companionship. Companionship can help prevent disease and even add years to your life, while isolation and loneliness can trigger symptoms of depression. Taking care of a live animal can help you feel needed and wanted, and focus on your problems, especially if you live alone. Many dog and cat owners talk to their pets, and some use them to solve their problems. And nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail and wet kisses.
- Help you meet new people. Dogs can be a great social force for their owners, helping you make and maintain new friendships. Dog owners often stop and talk while walking, hiking, or at the dog park. Dog owners also meet new people at pet stores, clubs and training classes.
- Reduce stress. The company of a dog can provide comfort, help reduce stress, and boost self-confidence for those who are anxious to enter the world. Because dogs live in the moment – they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow – they can help you reflect and enjoy the joy of the present.
- Add order and routine to your day. Dogs need a regular diet and exercise regimen. Having a consistent routine keeps the dog stable and calm, and it can work for you. Regardless of your situation – depression, anxiety or stress – one look at your dog and you will get out of bed to feed, exercise and take care of your pet.
- Provide emotional support. Touch and movement are two great ways to deal with stress quickly. Petting a dog lowers blood pressure and can help you feel calmer and less stressed. Losing weight. A one-year study found that walking large dogs helped both pets and their owners lose weight. The researchers found that the dogs provide support as a human exerciser, but are more compatible and do not have any negative effects.
The incredible friendship and love we share with dogs and cats can be a refuge during life’s most difficult times. Whether you’re curling up in bed, taking a leisurely stroll, or petting him for a while, there are health benefits to finding time to decompress with your pet by your side.
