We all feel stressed at times, and have different ways of coping with this. Some people use yoga or meditation, some like to exercise or spend time with friends. These are all great ways to manage stress, but one other way to deal with this is to have a pet as part of your life.
Research has shown that if you are an animal lover, and have the time and money to properly take care of one, then owning a dog or cat can provide numerous emotional and health benefits.
As an owner of 3 dogs, I can definitely agree that animals provide benefits to us that are sometimes more effective than what other humans can provide!
Some of the ways that pets can affect us are the following:
- They can improve our mood, after a bad day or if you feel depressed or lonely. Petting your cat or dog when you feel down is a great help to feel better.
- Pets help us to get outdoors and exercise with them, whether simply for companionship or because dogs do need to be walked regularly.
- Pets provide unconditional love and are there for us in ways that are unique to animals. They can keep secrets and provide comfort when needed, and never judge us for being the way we are!
- Loneliness is decreased when you own a pet. Coming home to a welcoming animal helps to make us feel connected and comforted rather than alone.
- Pets help us to meet other pet owners, which can increase social networks of friends or acquaintances. Going to a dog park is a great way to meet other people who have a common interest.
Although pets provide great benefits to us and can help to reduce stress levels, they aren’t for everyone and require a lot of responsibility and work. If this increases your stress, then getting a pet may not be the best option for you.