Owning a Pet Can Improve Your Life and Health
Owning a pet can ward off depression, lower blood pressure, and boost immunity. It may even improve your social life.
My pets are my friends. After a long day, I quite literally feel the love when I walk through the door and I’m greeted by my three best buds, but did you know that owning a pet can actually improve your life and health? Research has shown that owning an animal can lower your blood pressure, boost immunity, and for some, they help get a date.
Date Magnets
Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking — a dog is a natural conversation starter.
Owning a pet helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness. People ask about breed, they watch the dog's tricks, somtimes the conversation stays at the 'dog level,' sometimes it becomes a real social interchange."
Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking — a dog is a natural conversation starter.
Owning a pet helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness. People ask about breed, they watch the dog's tricks, somtimes the conversation stays at the 'dog level,' sometimes it becomes a real social interchange."
Dogs for the Aged
Recently studies have shown that “Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home, further, their caregivers feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog.
For elderly people who are able, walking a dog or just caring for a pet can provide exercise and companionship. Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have a pet as part of their medical screening — which often helps tip the scales in their favor.
Recently studies have shown that “Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home, further, their caregivers feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog.
For elderly people who are able, walking a dog or just caring for a pet can provide exercise and companionship. Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have a pet as part of their medical screening — which often helps tip the scales in their favor.
Good for Mind and Soul
Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. In one study, people with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets. Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties.
Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. In one study, people with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets. Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties.
Good for the Heart
Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies.
Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies.
Depression buster
My two dogs, Jack and Lilly are so needy for a walk any time of the day or night that there isn’t any time for feeling sorry for myself. Ironically they always let me see the glass half full and make me realize that life is to short. Getting our daily walks in helps me to get some exercise as well. They are comical in their own right, which always puts a smile on my face.
If you have a pet, let me know how you have benefited from being a pet owner. Send a comment.
If you are looking for a pet to adopt, try these local shelter. or Petfinders.com
Comments