The connection that owners have with their pets is nothing short of powerful. The global pandemic of Covid-19 had many people finding solace in their furry companions or bringing new ones into the family. Everyone always says “aww” when they see a new animal for the first time, and many people want to pet and cuddle since animals seem to have such a relaxing, calming effect.
But, what is it exactly that has us reaching for our pets when we are having a bad day, feeling stressed, or down in the dumps? The value of a relationship with your pets, specifically dogs, has been recognized, and research is increasing. Cats have been domesticated for far longer; however, dogs are much easier to train in companionship.
The truth is, both dogs and cats add joy and love to our lives. But it goes even beyond that – pets improve our health and provide benefits that you may not even have realized. For example, your mental health is better when you own a pet. Here are some of the incredible ways in which owning a pet helps to support your mental health.
Being With Your Pet Lowers Stress Hormones
When you are around your pet, do you pet and play with it? When you interact with your pet often, it helps to reduce stress-related hormones. And what’s even more impressive is that these benefits happen after just a few minutes of being with our pet so that they can play an integral role for anyone suffering from anxiety or stress regularly.
Pets have been proven to elevate dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain, which help calm and relax you. These are known as the “happiness hormones,” and they cause us to smile or laugh at our pets’ behaviors.
Another benefit comes with lowering your cortisol levels, which is known as the “stress hormone.” It increases when we feel anxious or stressed out over a situation. When this happens, it can be advantageous to take a breath and play with your pet and release oxytocin, another chemical within your body that works to reduce stress levels naturally.
Pets Help To Lower Your Blood Pressure
The act of petting and stroking a dog, cat, or other furry friend lowers blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension, you are at a much greater risk of heart disease or stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States. Stroking your pet often can help reduce elevated blood pressure without the need for medication.
Pets Help To Boost Your Self-Esteem
Children tend to desire the feeling of belonging, and this is more prominent in young adolescents. The best part about owning a pet is that your pet loves you unconditionally, no matter what. While humans can sometimes be cruel to one another, you never have to worry about that with your pet.
In that aspect, pets are great at helping comfort, console, and make us feel better during those times of uncertainty and loneliness. In addition, a study done by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health discovered that children with pets have better social skills self-esteem and aid in their behavioral development.
Pets Support Mental Health Recovery
Having a pet is helpful when dealing with mental health conditions or illnesses. Why is that so? Because they help you to manage your emotions better since they provide you with solid love and companionship. There is a reason that pets are often brought into hospitals, nursing homes, and even work offices- because they help bring joy to people and allow them to feel better in times of distress and sorrow.
Pets also live entirely in the moment. They aren’t worried about things from their past or things that may happen in the future, as humans frequently do, which can attribute to mental health conditions. So you can become more mindful by bringing your thoughts to the present with your pet and finding a distraction from things that may be bothering you.
Another advantage to recovering from mental health problems that pets give you is managing the every day. You feel more in control when you provide care for your pet and feel secure in your routine. Your pet needs you to help it, and that feeling of being needed creates a sense of worth and wellbeing.
Pets Help You Create Healthier Habits
One last benefit to your mental health that pets can give you is providing healthier habits with a routine. Since pets need structure, you are forced to have more discipline in following a schedule, in which you will, in turn, help yourself to feel better by developing healthier habits in your everyday life, which include:
- Exercise – it is no surprise that exercise is great for our mental wellbeing, and walking your dog and getting yourself outside is an excellent benefit to reach your pet’s need for activity, but also for you in the process.
- Waking Up – pets need to be fed and taken outside regularly, so as a pet owner, you have to get up each day to take care of your pet no matter how you are feeling, which pushes through those feelings of sadness that might keep you in bed otherwise.
- Getting Outside – believe it or not, fresh air can do wonders to help you breathe more deeply and calm your mind, so getting out in nature more frequently is helpful to your mindset. Pets need to go outside at least a few times each day, and if you have pets already living in outdoor facilities, it forces you to experience nature.
Build A Strong Connection With Your Pet
Your pet loves you unconditionally, and just that love alone can be fantastic for your mental health. Your pet also trusts you completely, and that kind of trust can aid us in feeling more empathy in other social connections.
Self-care is essential, and your mental health is a crucial aspect of your wellbeing, so be sure you are taking care of yourself, if for nothing more than to be sure you provide the best care for your pet. If you have any questions or concerns about how a pet can help improve your mental health, you can reach out and get online veterinarian help to find out more information.
