5 Ways Pets Can Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing
There is no doubt our affinity with animals can be deep, enriching and enduring. Research supports the many positive benefits to this human – animal bond, such as an increase in exercise and social interactions and a reduction in stress, depression and anxiety. Before we look more closely at these benefits, it is important to note that pets are a long-term investment, and careful consideration should be given to the decision. Some good questions to ask yourself before introducing a furry, feathery or scaling friend into your life could be;
Can I manage my pets day-to-day needs?
Can I afford to pay for my pet’s food and vet bills?
Can I take long term responsibility for my pet?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, it is not the right to time to get one. Doing so could create more stress for yourself and the animal.
If you were able to answer yes to all three questions, it might be the right time to consider this addition. Let’s look at some of the reasons why.
1. Pets Provide Comfort and Companionship
From loneliness to a downright bad day, pets offer us companionship and joy when we need it most. Pet owners often report a sense of unconditional love and non-judgement from their pets. This can assist in feelings of emotional stability and reassurance for the owners and help them to cope in challenging times.
Caring for an animal can also help make owners feel needed and wanted and take the focus away from their problems, especially if living alone. Most pet owners also report talking to their pets, with some using them as a sounding board to work through their troubles. And nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail or purring cat.
2. Pets Assist in Reducing Stress Anxiety and Depression.
Pets don’t just provide comfort. They can also alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Patting pets has been scientifically proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, while the social interaction between people and their pets increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin. Of course, pets aren’t just limited to furry friends, some people opt for fish or birds as pets which are also effective at reducing stress. In fact, a study found that staring at a fish swimming around for five minutes can almost be hypnotic, increasing feelings of relaxation, and decreasing heart rate and muscle tension.
The companionship of an animal can help ease anxiety and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world. And because pets tend to live in the moment—they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow—they can help you become more mindful and appreciate the joy of the present, further reducing feelings of anxiety in their owners.
3. Keep us active
Another benefit of pets is that they encourage us to get outside into nature. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements.
Pets can also help owners get up out of bed and start their days. For example, dogs and cats need to be fed on a regular schedule. As a result, pet owners need to get up and take care of them—no matter what mood they are in.
4. Increase our social interactions
On top of helping someone stay active, pets can also facilitate social interactions.
Dogs, in particular, are natural icebreakers. Any dog owner knows the number of conversations they’ve started with strangers while out and about with their dogs. In addition, research has shown that pets can facilitate human nonverbal social interaction, such as smiling and making eye contact with others while out with their pets.
5. Offer a sense of purpose
Finally, pets can provide meaning and a feeling of responsibility in peoples’ lives.
The simple acts of taking care of or training an animal can make individuals happier and relieve loneliness and depression. Having a pet rely on you for their basic needs can make owners feel valued and self-assured. This sense of duty can be incredibly helpful to people’s mental health.