Do you always feel better when you’re with your dog? Research shows that your furry friend is beneficial for both your mental and physical health. Here are 10 proven ways dogs can make you healthier and help you live a more productive life!
Dogs provide unconditional love and acceptance, always being there for you. The companionship and bond with your dog significantly enhance mental well-being, along with the extra exercise you get during playtime. While cleaning up leftover food may be annoying sometimes, having a pet brings many advantages.
Keep reading to discover the surprising ways your dog can boost your health.
Rhythmic grooming or petting can be soothing for both you and your dog. Focus on their soft fur, the warmth they give off, their deep breaths, and their calmness. This connection releases oxytocin, the hormone related to anxiety and stress, helping to lower your blood pressure and cortisol levels.
Kids who grow up with pets at home are less likely to develop common allergies such as those to grass, ragweed, pets, and dust. They are also at a lower risk of asthma. Allergies often lead to apathy, lethargy, and insomnia, making individuals more vulnerable to mental health issues like depression.
Playing with and walking your dog outdoors provides a natural energy boost, helping you release stress, strengthen your muscles, and improve your overall fitness. Research shows that pet owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides due to an active lifestyle. Having a dog lowers the chances of major cardiac issues, improves blood circulation, strengthens the body, and reduces susceptibility to mental health problems.
Staying active with your dog by letting them in and out of the house and feeding them keeps you alert. Engaging with your dog distracts you from troubling thoughts, allowing you to live in the moment. You can also capture their cute moments on video or in photos to share with friends.
Dogs can be great companions if you dislike being lonely. They are often very intuitive and seek you out when you’re feeling down. However, pets are a long-term commitment and should not be used to fill temporary voids. They provide care and love through good and bad times.
Having a dog can make you more social and approachable. Activities like visiting pet stores, attending special events, or going to dog parks with your dog benefit both you and your pet. Seeing your dog do something cute, like putting a paw on your arm or rolling on their back, can make you smile and raise your levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to happiness and calmness.
Getting fresh air with your dog improves your mood, and the sun provides vitamin D, which helps combat mental conditions, cancer, depression, heart attacks, and obesity. Engaging with nature by feeling the wind, listening to rustling trees, and facing the sun can be incredibly calming.
Studies show that children who grow up with pets have a lower risk of allergies and eczema and take fewer sick days. A dog can be a great listener when you’re alone due to anger, stress, or frustration. They are always there to hear about your day, dreams, and hopes. Practicing a speech, lamenting a breakup, or sharing hidden truths with your dog is comforting as they offer a judgment-free ear.
Go have fun with your furry friend! You’ll both enjoy the pleasurable time together. If you don’t have a pet, consider volunteering at a shelter. Many dogs can benefit from your love, and you will feel the benefits too!
