Your pet brings so much joy to your life, but did you know that spending time with them could be better for your health? Many medical and psychological studies show that pet owners live a happier, healthier life than non-pet owners.
Here are 5 ways that the companionship of your pet can improve your health:
1. Healthier Heart
According to Harvard Medical School, studies show that “dog owners have lower blood pressure than non-owners.” They attribute this to the notion that a dog makes them calmer and they also get more exercise on average. They also report that “the power of touch also appears to be an important part of the ‘pet effect'.”
Other studies show that heart attack survivors and people with abnormal heart rhythms live longer than people without pets.
2. Stress Soothers
Petting your cat or dog simply feels good, but why is that? Blair Justice, psychology professor and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health, tells WebMD that any enjoyable activity, such as petting your dog, can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which have pleasurable and calming properties. Another study found that your pet can actually soothe you more than the presence of a friend or spouse during a stressful situation!
3. Depression Relief
Therese Borchard, associate editor of Psych Central, says that one reason pets aid in depression relief is simply by offering us unconditional love and acceptance. In a depression study done by Johns Hopkins, researchers found that nursing home residents felt less lonely after a visit from a dog alone than after a visit with both a dog and another resident.
Our dog doesn't care if we look disheveled, or may be having financial or relationship difficulties. When you walk through that door, you are the best thing since sliced bread, and they love to let you know it.
4. Social Tool
The presence of a pet is a natural icebreaker. We all have walked down the street avoiding eye contact with a stranger. However, if that person is walking a dog, we can easily strike up a conversation that would have otherwise not happened. This can make us feel more connected to people, aiding as a natural mood enhancer.
Beyond a dog being a natural conversation starter, one study found that owning a dog actually makes you more attractive to a potential mate!
5. Psychological Repair
It is well known that service dogs do so much more than aiding the physically impaired. One example of this is an organization called Next Step Service Dogs, which raises funds and trains dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD.
As their volunteer director has explained, “Scientific studies indicate when a dog and person make eye-to-eye contact, it increases a calming bonding chemical called oxytocin in both the person and dog. This benefit is universal about dogs and people but can significantly increase with expert service dog training.”
One study showcases the overwhelming impact that trained service dogs have on the lives of soldiers suffering from PTSD:
- Increased patience, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
- Improved ability to display affection, decrease in emotional numbness.
- Improved sleep
- Decreased depression, increase in positive sense of purpose.
- Decrease in startle response
- Improved parenting skills and family dynamics.
- Lowered stress levels, increased sense of calm.
Valentine's Day is a reminder to love the people in your life that matter to you the most, and your pet is no exception. So love on your dog or cat a little bit extra on the 14th — after all, it's good for your health!
Give us a call to schedule an appointment for your furry Valentine!