Ever thought about owning a pet? Well it’s about time you did. Yes they require a lot of attention and dedication, but it’s worth every poop scooped off the lawn and unwanted barking in the night. Owning a furry companion can have loads of positive effects on your life, both mental and physical. Man’s best friend? We think the old adage might just be right (if not a little sexist).
According to mental health experts from AXA PPP healthcare, taking care of and spending time with a pet is a great way to give yourself some headspace to deal with life’s setbacks and challenges. Walking your dog – or even borrowing one from a neighbour or local animal rescue centre – can do wonders for your wellbeing as it combines moderate exercise with taking a break from work or household chores and getting some fresh air.
The Mental Health Foundation has also reported that stroking, sitting next to or playing with a pet relaxes and calms the mind, helping to give pet owners some much needed ‘me time’ to improve their mood and overall health.
So, here we share our 5 IDEAL reasons why living with pets is good for both mind and body.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
However bad your day’s been, you’ll have someone who depends on you to shower with affection, and vice versa. The British Medical Journal believes the emotional bond between owner and pet can be as intense as that in many human relationships and may confer similar psychological benefits. Your partner may have left you, and you’ve been fired from your job, but a dog slobbering all over your face when you get home makes it all okay.
ROUTINE
The responsibilities that come with owning a pet can give your day purpose, reward and a sense of achievement. Remember how much the reward receptors in your brain used to buzz when you played on your Tamagotchi? Well, this is for real. And forever. Regular routines and rituals are said to help forge discipline, give focus to energy management and support mental space. The Dogs Trust also highlights that a good routine is vital for your dog’s well being too – that’s two birds killed with one stone.
LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE
Owning a pet can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. It may be that dog owners naturally do more exercise, but pets also play a role in providing social support, encouraging you to stick with a new habit or adopting a healthy behaviour. Owning a cat has also been associated with a reduced rate of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke, due to the stress-relieving effects of animal companionship.
SOCIALISING
Pets can act as a social icebreaker between strangers, or as a catalyst for social interaction. Research suggests that dog walkers experience significantly higher social capital (interactions and relationships) than non-dog walkers. If you’re having trouble meeting someone, take the dog out for a stroll and maybe it won’t just be you and your dog coming home that night.
A BOOST TO MENTAL WELL BEING
Studies have found that dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets and ownership can reduce stress and anxiety levels. Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax. Those who do suffer from low mood often find their symptoms alleviated by Emotional Support Animals (ESA), providing much needed comfort and companionship to those in need.
If you are lucky enough to have the friendship of an ESA and are moving house, remember you are well within your rights to have a pet even from a landlord who otherwise doesn’t allow pets; just make sure you have a ESA letter for housing from a registered practitioner.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*