How pets benefit our mental and physical health
Doctors are encouraging people to spend more time with pets, small pets are being included in school curriculums, and in the workplace. Chewy embraces her furry coworkerWhy has this change occurred? Research suggests there are four main reasons:
Pets reduce loneliness
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, but the truth is that loneliness was a social epidemic before the pandemic and remains so today.One in five Americans say they feel they lack a deeper connection or understanding with other people..
Pets not only provide unconditional love, but they also give us a sense of purpose in caring for another living being.
When HABRI and Mars Petcare asked pet owners across the country what they do when they feel lonely, 80% said they turn to their pets for comfort. Not only do pets provide unconditional love, but they also give them a sense of purpose in caring for another living being. Additionally, more than half of respondents (54%) said their pets help them connect with others in their community, fostering a sense of belonging.
Pets foster connection and community
For many animal lovers, pets are social catalysts. And this isn’t just anecdotal: A study of cities in the US and Australia found a link between pet ownership and stronger social bonds in communities.
As expected, dog owners Most social interactionHowever, 27% of people who own other pets said they met their neighbors through their furry, scaly, or feathered companions. How did this happen? People chatted about their pets over the fence, and these conversations even became social occasions, especially when neighborhood kids were eager to meet new kinds of pets.
Pets increase mindfulness and focus
One way we can all be more mindful is by noticing the little things around us. Pets are great practice for this. Take cats, for example. Their body language can be confusing at first, but by paying close attention, you can learn to understand them better. For example, tail wagging usually means frustration or anger.
moreover, A study Having pets in the classroom has been shown to significantly improve social and academic reading skills and reduce hyperactivity, while parents say their children are more empathetic and compassionate at home.
Pets encourage healthy habits beyond physical exercise
According to researchers, the health benefits of pets go far beyond a daily walk with your dog. Positive interactions with pets increase the release of oxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin (the parenting hormone) in the human body, and reduce the stress hormone (cortisol). And there’s more good news: these positive chemical changes happen to your pet, too.
What does this mean for pet owners, besides the heartwarming quality of having our pets around? First, a study from the University of Maryland found that pets can improve heart health by reducing stress and blood pressure. Increased chances of recovery from a heart attack People who own cats tend to be in better health than those who don’t.
Meanwhile, another study looked at the impact of keeping fish on childhood diabetes, because cats and dogs aren’t the only pets that can help keep us healthy: caring for fish helped children make the connection between their own self-care and the health of their pets.Feed the fish It served as an effective reminder. Checking blood sugar levels and taking medications.
The results were similar. Seen in Alzheimer’s patientsWhen Alzheimer’s patients ate their meals in a room with an aquarium, they ate more, had less need for supplementation, and even showed fewer behavioral problems associated with sundowning syndrome.
Pets support resilience and recovery
Research has shown that pets can have long-term benefits for people diagnosed with long-term mental illnesses: they provide emotional and social support, helping to foster a sense of security, regularity and stability in a time of need.
Psychiatric service dogs are Beneficial for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)These specially trained companions are aware of their surroundings, calm emotions and intervene during panic attacks and nightmares. Studies have shown that veterans who are paired with a service dog experience better quality sleep, stronger family bonds, smoother reintegration into the community and higher employability.
The therapeutic benefits of pets extend to children, too: Mental health professionals have found that pets are especially effective at helping children open up and talk about their feelings.
In response to the growing demand for therapy pets, Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) The organization, which launched just two years ago, provides training and certification to professionals such as school counselors and psychologists so they can incorporate pets into their therapy.
