People encounter various forms of stress every day. Research shows that the most common cause of stress is work-related, experienced by four out of five adults. Moderate stress can improve work and productivity, but too much stress can negatively impact your health, mood, relationships, and overall well-being.
Stress Awareness Day is an annual event to raise awareness about stress, its causes and effects. This year’s Stress Awareness Day is Wednesday, November 1st. On this occasion, leading pet insurance company PetGuard investigated how owning a pet can help fight stress.
“Owning a pet offers many mental and physical health benefits for both adults and children,” said James Witten, marketing manager at PetGuard.
helps reduce stress levels
When you feel stressed or anxious, your brain can release adrenaline and cortisol (stress-related hormones), which can have negative effects on your heart and mental health if prolonged. Pets not only make their owners laugh and giggle, but more importantly, they also contribute to the release of oxytocin. The “cuddle hormone” reverses the effects of cortisol and relieves stress.
Research shows that watching a dog run around playfully or soothing a cat’s fur can make people feel calmer. Medical professionals have found that interacting with animals greatly increases the chances of a quick recovery after surgery, as animals tend to increase positivity and mental health.
Pets are great therapy
The popularity of pet therapy is steadily increasing across the UK. Children with learning disabilities such as ADHD and autism are encouraged to interact with therapy animals in a controlled environment. These interactions help create a positive and calming environment for children, which has been shown to increase overall levels of concentration, memory retention, and improve academic performance.
Pet therapy can provide adults as well as children with an emotional connection that they may find difficult to establish with other humans. By petting an animal, you can not only heal yourself, but also create emotional experiences that you may not have had before.
“Owning a pet has great benefits, but it also comes with great responsibility. It’s important to have pet insurance to protect your pet from health problems or accidents. Pet Guard can help you with your pet’s needs. We can help by providing the right pet insurance,” adds Witten.
Check out Pet Guard Insurance below.
Discover more benefits of owning a pet:
https://www.petguard.co.uk/5-benefits-of-owning-pets
