“Happiness is a warm puppy.”- Charles M. Schultz
And Mr. Schultz couldn’t be more right about it! There’s just something about our pets that tends to inspire happiness and general well being in us. A pet is an animal that is adopted by people for companionship the pet stays with us in our homes and becomes a part of our lives and families. Pets, especially dogs, are capable of unconditional love towards their owners.
The crazy wagging of the tail every time the dogs see you or cats rubbing their furry bodies against your legs the moment you step in to a room, the pet fish approaching the fish tank’s front the minute you peer at them…. the instances are endless, but the result is pretty much the same, a happy owner with lesser levels of stress!
Surprised? Don’t be. Research has shown that our little friends provide us with more than just plain good old companionship; they provide us with amazing health benefits, reduced stress levels, daily exercise and much more! Following are some of the health benefits that people are known to derive from having pets in their lives:
De-stressors:
Pets act as excellent stress reducers. A pet demands your attention when you are with it; this helps you take your mind off things bothering you, thereby reducing your stress levels immediately. In a recent study conducted by researchers it was revealed that playing with your pet reduces the levels of Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
Pressure controllers:
In a study conducted by Dr. Karen Allen, a research scientist at the State University of New York at Buffalo, on the effects that owning a pet can have on our blood pressure; it was noticed that stockbrokers who led stressful lives and suffered from high blood pressure reported significant improvement in their blood pressure after they had adopted a pet!
Simple actions such as stroking a pet can control your blood pressure, in fact the mere presence of a pet is known to calm people. Dr. Allen states that maybe it is the presence of a non-judgmental, loyal and devoted pet that promotes a calm mindset in the pet owner leading to improvement in those suffering from lower blood pressure and other stress related problems.
Anti Depressants:
Pets are known to instantly cheer you up. People suffering from depression are often encouraged to get a pet as stroking your pet, talking to it or spending time playing with it is known to cheer up people. Being responsible for another living being takes you out of your own thoughts thereby reducing your depression considerably.
Insight providers:
Caring for your pet gives you a better point of view about yourself.
Observing fish swimming in a fish tank for a short period of time is known to be meditative and reflective!
Activity Monitors:
With packed yet sedentary work schedules and longer working hours, our physical activity levels have reduced drastically! Minimal physical activity has resulted in us being more prone to heart ailments, obesity, type-II diabetes and many more problems. Simply walking a pet around the block, playing with it or bathing are among the many ways that a pet can keep you active.
People who keep horses as pets are known to be the most active and fit individuals as a horse requires much more ‘playing space’ and grooming than other pets such as dogs or cats, though both involve considerable physical activity.
Socializing intermediaries:
‘A dog is a conversation waiting to happen!’
Pets are a great way to meet new people, socialize and expand your social circle! Pets make for great ice breakers between strangers.
Taking your pet for a walk or going to the pet store for their daily supplies will help you meet like minded people. Participation in competitions like dog shows, cat shows, equestrian and aquarium competitions is a great way to meet new people and exchange tips and thoughts about your pet!
It has been found that people with mental disabilities bond easily with specially trained dogs. Talking to the dog, taking walks with it and the likes are known to help these people a lot. People in old age homes have also shown improvement in their mental and physical health after interacting with trained pets! Other than these obvious health benefits of having a pet, there are a few equally amazing health benefits that bon homie with a pet around can provide:
- Kids growing up with pets are more compassionate and learn small responsibilities as they help take care of the pet.
- Pets are used in therapy to help children with ADHD (Hyperactivity leading to inadequate spans of attention) and Autism. Pets with their playful nature and unconditional love help calm the children down.
- Spending time with pets is known to help people with arthritis (by providing natural and unconscious physical movements that facilitate exercise painlessly) and AIDS(by providing unreserved companionship)
- Pet owners have shown marked improvement (reduction) in cholesterol and triglyceride levels thanks to reduction in stress levels.
Pets are a source of constant joy for their owners. Pet owners all over the world agree that having a pet is like having a child and the health benefits provided by these pets are just an added bonus!
There are clearly a number of benefits in having a pet at home BUT one must remember that a pet also calls for a lot of responsibility and requires constant care and attention just like another member in the household. As much as they do good for those who have them, they too require just as much as love and concern in return. So before you run to get a pet, take time out and talk to someone who already has one or read up about the other requisites for the little ‘baby’ that might enter your life soon. Ask yourself if you are ready for that kind of commitment for another life. Once you are sure, go ahead, nothing gives more joy!
