It’s no secret that pets can contribute to your happiness. Let’s look at different ways pets help our mental wellbeing.
Lifting up our mood:
Walking is incredibly important to keep your dog’s body and mind healthy, but walking your little furend can also give your mental health a big boost. On days where you may be struggling with your mental health more than others, friends and family may suggest you to get some fresh air and go for a walk – they’re not wrong! Your doggo is always happy to join you for relaxing walkies.
Keeping us company:
There are many people in this world who live on their own, living on your own can be incredibly lonely and can have a negative effect on some people’s mental health. Which is why many people who happen to live on their own or even those who choose to live on their own tend to have a pet keeping them company.
Structure:
Structure is really important to have in your day-to-day life. Having structure can do wonders for improving productivity, stress, and even anxiety and depression. Owning a pet can be a great source of structure for your life as well as many other benefits. To feeding your friend in the morning and night to taking your pup for daily walks, and enjoying each other’s company by having play time.
Anxiety help:
Pets help us with anxiety and other mental illness, in a similar way to how they help us with depression. They increase our oxytocin production which also decreases the stress and fear we feel, they also increase positive emotions. And are fantastic at providing emotional support.
Therapy dogs:
Therapy dogs are known to help people who suffer with mental health, a large amount of people around the world rely on them to get them through their day or even their whole life. Therapy dogs are trained to be gentle and friendly and to accept strangers hugging and petting them, they are patient and unbothered by children who may tug on their fur, or adults who may want a smaller dog to sit on their lap. You may even see a lot of therapy dogs visiting retirement homes giving the residents lots of love and affection and keeping them company.
