Did you know that owning a pet has been proven to have overwhelmingly positive mental and physical health benefits? It’s true! Scientists have only begun to research the positive affects our furry friends have on us, but what they have discovered so far is incredible.
I recently became the proud new ‘mommy’ of a puppy back in August. I spend most of my time in the office solo and thought a dog would be a nice addition to keep me company. In just the short 3 months I have had Louie, I can absolutely see an increase in my overall happiness. He brings so much joy to my life and is a stress-reliever.
Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.A pet doesn’t have to be a dog or a cat. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and pulse rate.What I love best about the findings mentioned above is that it’s not just dogs and cats that provide positive health benefits. Since not all of our lifestyles are conducive to owning a dog or cat, it’s refreshing to know that there are positive health benefits to owning pets that are low-maintenance, like fish or a turtle.
For more about the benefits to owning a pet and to determine what type of pet is best for your lifestyle, check out this great article from HelpGuide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm
Written By Jenna Watson
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