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How Pets Can Improve Your Mental Health
Do you feel better the instant your precious pup comes running to greet you when you get home from work or when your furry feline headbutts you with tenderness and affection? Pets have the power to heal you both physically and mentally.
Having a pet can decrease your stress and anxiety. Nothing beats the mood-boosting benefits of having an animal to cuddle and play with. Spending time with your dog or cat gives you the compassion and companionship you need when feeling depressed or lonely.
There is a reason there is such a thing as emotional therapy animals and service dogs. Dogs and cats can help people cope with their issues. In this article, you will learn more about the benefits of having a pet and how they can enhance your mental health.
How Pets Can Improve Your Mental Health
Your pet has a special superpower to lift you up when you are down. Pets give us so much love and ask for nothing in return. This love is why having an animal is good for you. They can help anyone from a stressed-out working single mother to someone with serious mental health challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety. Some ways pets improve mental health:
Pets Lower Stress Levels
As stated by the National Institutes of Health, pets can reduce cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress-related hormone that creates a fight-or-flight response if levels are too high. Lower cortisol also means lower blood pressure, which improves overall health. The love of a dog or cat can relax you and help you cope with stress and anxiety.
Pets Can Alter Your Brain Chemistry
Did you know that interacting with your pet can alter your brain chemistry? It’s true. Your brain can change in positive ways when you have a dog or cat. The University of Pennsylvania has thoroughly studied this phenomenon. They have concluded that pets can:
- Help release endorphins
- Increase serotonin in the brain
- Boost oxytocin, the “love hormone”
- Raise the “feel good hormone,” dopamine
Studies have indicated pet owners are less likely to agonize from depression than those without pets. Dogs and cats are walking mood boosters with fur. You could have the worst day; even seeing your pet can bring you joy and make you smile.
Pets Help You Cope with Loneliness
Having a pet can help you cope with loneliness in various ways. Dogs know how to be present for a person. They can be the best workout partner, cuddle buddy, and confidant, all rolled into one adorable package. Pets can also increase social interaction. Dog owners meet up to walk their dogs or have puppy play dates at the park. Cat lovers often take funny videos of their cats to show others on social media.
Pets Add Structure to Your Day
Pets usually help you to have a set routine, which is incredible for your mental health. They depend on you to stick to a schedule and not deviate from it. It gives you the structure to function better and get through the day. Some examples of ways a pet requires structure:
- Bathroom breaks
- Feeding schedules
- Play and exercise times
- Regular grooming routines
Dogs are notorious for wanting to keep a set schedule each day, but cats are also routine-oriented. Pets thrive with proper organization, which will motivate you to provide it. For children with ADHD, it helps them prioritize structure and cope with their disorder.
Pets Help People with Trauma
People with trauma often have emotional issues, and an emotional support animal can comfort them. Trauma affects many survivors of abuse and those who have dealt with tragedy. For them, animals give hope. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a typical affliction of those who have participated in war or have been through something hugely traumatic. Service dogs are excellent to help cope with PTSD.
Pets Boost Self-Esteem
Having a pet can boost your self-esteem, leading to greater confidence and being more open to trying new things. For example, dog and cat agility have become popular for pet parents and furry friends. Also, when you strengthen your bond with your pet, it helps build confidence in yourself. Pets love us unconditionally, which allows us to know that we are the most important person in their life. That is a warm and fuzzy, wonderful feeling!
Conclusion
Our pets can improve our mental health in a wide variety of ways. They can help lower stress and anxiety levels, change our brains for the positive, and may even boost our confidence. Your pet is the best natural remedy to chase away the blues. The next time you play fetch with your dog or cuddle with your cat, remember that your pet is helping you live a better, more fulfilling life.
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