If you’ve ever owned a pet or spent time around an animal, you know how fun, affectionate, and friendly they can be. The benefits of a furry friend don’t stop there. Did you know that living with a pet can help your mental and physical well-being?
Here are some of the ways an animal can help you mentally:
Depression: There’s no doubt that animals give unconditional love, but they can also give their owners a sense of purpose. Pets provide companionship, and that alone makes the owner feel needed and wanted. That companionship can bring feelings of joy and happiness.
Stress: Studies have shown that stroking a pet or watching your kitty pounce on a toy helps a person relax. The mere presence of a pet can have the same effect; this in turn reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
Here are some of the ways an animal can help you physically:
Allergies: University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatrician James E. Gern has conducted multiple studies that show children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems. His research shows that having a pet in the home can actually lower a child’s likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent.
Shyness:As described by WebMD, dogs are date magnets. Nadine Kaslow, PhD, believes having a dog can help ease people out of social isolation or shyness. “People ask about breed, they watch the dog’s tricks,” Kaslow says. “Sometimes the conversation stays at the ‘dog level,’ sometimes it becomes a real social interchange.”
Heart: Pets fill your heart with love, so it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that research shows the long-term benefits of owning a cat include protection for your heart. Over the 20 years of one study, people who never owned a cat were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack than those who had. Overall, pet owners have a lower risk of dying from any cardiac disease.
Before you run out and adopt a pet, make sure you can afford one. A pet is like a child; you are responsible for training your animal and making sure she is safe, well fed, immunized, etc. If you are considering adopting a dog, make sure you have time to play and go for walks. If you’re unsure about what type of animal to adopt, ask questions; let the worker know what kind of lifestyle you have and what you are looking for in a companion. They will be able to help you find a pet that fits your life.
Though a pet is a big responsibility, many people find the benefits far outweigh the costs. How about you? Tell us about your animal family members in the comments below.
If you’d like to talk with Reka, you can reach her at 402-881-8125. You can also email her at reka@omaha-counseling.com. Make sure to follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
—
photo credit: Proud dingo via photopin (license)
