As a pet owner, I can certainly attest to the fact that our furry friend brings a lot of joy into the life of my family.
If you own a pet, then the chances are that you definitely know what I’m talking about.
They are the first to greet you when you come home, they provide endless love and support, and always help to keep life entertaining (for better or for worse).
On top of being loved by family members, your furry friend plays a tremendous role in your well-being.
Here are some key ways in which pets positively impact your total health and wellness!
1. Pets Improve Your Mental Health
The first way pets can affect all-around health and wellness is by improving the mental health of their owners and the people they interact with.
After all, the concern of protecting people’s mental health has gained prominent attention worldwide in recent years, so this benefit is not worth overlooking.
Having a pet or being around an animal is one of the most natural ways to lower stress.
In fact, many individuals note that they are less stressed when interacting with their furry friend because interacting with a friendly dog or cat reduces cortisol levels, which is commonly known as the stress hormone.
Furthermore, it’s very common for people to experience the dispensing of oxytocin in their bodies when they are playing or engaging with a loving animal.
The oxytocin hormone helps stimulate happiness and pleasure, while reducing stress.
On top of lowering stress, pets help improve mental health by lowering anxiety levels in children.
A study from the CDC shows that children who grew up without a dog in their family were almost twice more likely to have anxiety compared to children who did.
Pets can also improve one’s mental health by practicing mindfulness while caring for them.
Let’s be honest, we all know how hard being in the moment can be when there are so many different things to juggle throughout the course of a day.
From getting the kids to school, to working, to going to extracurricular activities and games there is a lot going on.
However, pets are great at staying in the moment and helping to keep their people present too.
Simply set aside 10 – 20 minutes each day to give your four-legged friend some attention; play with them, pet them, or even just watch them.
Make sure to keep your phone and other distractions away during this time.
After the time is up you will feel refreshed, have a clearer mind, and be more engaged with your feelings throughout the day.
2. Pets Improve Your Physical Wellbeing
It’s no shock that your physical well-being is another important factor to consider when trying to live a healthy lifestyle.
Luckily, your four-legged friend can help you better yourself in this area if you are not someone who likes to exercise regularly.
Many pets need substantial exercise each day.
This means that if you have a pet that requires a lot of exercise, then you will be engaging in a lot of physical activity, too!
For instance, if you are thinking about getting a large dog, then you will need to account for about an hour or two of exercise a day.
If you are looking for a pet that doesn’t need as much exercise, a cat may be more fitting.
They don’t require nearly as much exercise as a bigger dog, and oftentimes just entertain themselves.
An article by The New York Times indicates that dog owners get about 30 minutes extra of exercise each day, compared to people who do not own a pet.
This amount of time can really add up, especially for older individuals.
Think about it, there are a number of fun and meaningful ways to exercise with your furry friend.
Obviously, you can take your dog on walks or even try jogging with them if you are extremely motivated.
Many pets enjoy swimming, so dipping in the pool or a lake with them is also an option.
You could even try the newer trend of doing dog yoga, or DOGA, if you are looking to increase your flexibility and muscle strength while bonding with your pet.
As fun as engaging in physical activities with your furry friend can be, it’s possible that dangerous situations may arise.
Whether you are swimming with your small puppy or going on a run with your senior dog, you should be prepared ahead of time for emergency situations.
Creating an animal first-aid kit or getting pet insurance will allow you to keep your furry friend protected in case something happens.
The pet first-aid kit can be used to treat minor injuries like cuts and scrapes your pet inevitably will get.
On the other hand, pet insurance will allow your pet to receive the help they need if they incur a serious injury.
Looking into how pet insurance works will also give you the peace of mind you need when it comes to your pet and your financial situation.
3. Pets Improve Your Social Life
Socialization is another important part of your health.
If you’re someone who tends to struggle with meeting new people or stepping outside of your comfort zone, then your pet might be just the right thing to help you do that.
If you’re currently a dog owner, how many times have you been stopped by people looking to give your pup some additional attention when out and about?
Probably too many times to count!
Owning a pet is an easy conversation starter that can help you to meet new people who most likely have the same interests as you.
Better yet, most of the time people will approach you and your pet, so you won’t even be the one having to start the conversation.
If you are passionate about animals and you are seriously looking to meet new people, then you could also consider volunteering at your local animal shelter.
It’s always nice to volunteer and help out in your community and many animal shelters rely on the help of volunteers, as they are understaffed.
Not to mention, you will be happy you did later on.
Related: Learn Which Essentials Oils Are Safe For Dogs?
4. Pets Encourage You to Reevaluate Your Own Lifestyle
Another way in which pets can contribute to and enhance your overall health and wellness is by encouraging you to evaluate your own lifestyle choices.
After all, you want nothing less than the best for your pet, so why not for your family and yourself too?
For instance, you may give your furry friend the best available organic, toxic-free, and eco-friendly pet products.
Why not reevaluate what you are consuming and change your diet for the better as well?
This is a win-win situation for both your pet and you!
Before buying your pet a new product, make sure you research what it is made out of.
Sadly, like many human goods, there are a number of different toxic materials in common pet products that you need to be aware of.
As you rethink what food, treats, shampoo, toys, and apparel you want to get your four-legged friend, make sure you take the same consideration and follow the same process for yourself.
Doing so will allow you to live better by recognizing the toxins and dangers within your own products, so you can swap them out for healthier alternatives too.
Remember that it’s not realistic to cut out every bad or toxic product for your pet or yourself, but making a little effort can go a long way.
5. Owning a Pet Could Help You Live Longer
The last and possibly most important way in which pets positively impact health and wellness is through potentially helping you live longer, as there is evidence to show that owning a pet could increase the longevity of your life.
As mentioned before, owning a pet helps reduce stress and anxiety.
At the same time, pets help us get more exercise when we walk them regularly and they can help us stay more socially connected with our neighbors.
These are all factors that impact longevity and our cardiovascular health in some way.
In fact, a study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute claims that there is an association between pet ownership and having a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and certain heart problems, like the leading cause of death in the U.S, heart disease.
Clearly, there is a lot more to living a long and happy life than owning a pet, but it’s nice to know that your furry friend is helping you in ways you didn’t even know.
Being a pet owner is a fun, rewarding, and eye-opening experience.
Bottom Line
If you’re an animal lover and are wanting to live a healthier lifestyle, then a new pet just might be the right choice for you.
It’s also a huge decision, so make sure to really think about it and consider if you are up for the challenge.
Similarly, if you are already a pet parent and you want to work on your all-around health, then follow the tips above and see how beneficial your pet can be for you, not only as a friend but as a health coach!
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