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10 Ways Pets Support Our Mental Health

6/15/2020

3 Comments

 
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10 Ways Pets Support Mental Health. 
Pets model living in the moment
Pet owners sense of self-esteem
Pets help us develop relationship skills
Pets help us build healthy habits
Pets Provide Social Support
Pets give us unconditional love
Pets Help in Mental Illness Recovery
Pets make us feel needed
Pets Lowers our Stress Hormone.
Children with Pets Have Less Stress
Researchers tell us that owning a dog or cat has health benefits. The first study on pets and mental health was published 30 years ago. Psychologist Alan Beck of Purdue University and psychiatrist Aaron Katcher of the University of Pennsylvania measured what happens to the body when a person pets a friendly dog. Here's what they found:
  • Blood pressure went down
  • Heart rate slowed
  • Breathing became more regular
  • Muscle tension relaxed.  

Further studies around pets and mental health show that petting and playing with animals reduces stress-related hormones. And these benefits can occur after just five minutes of interacting with a pet.

When we play, smile, and laugh at our pets' cute behavior, it stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, the "happiness hormones." These hormones calm and relax the nervous system. 


Although a furry pet may not be a good fit for your family, all kinds of pets bring us joy and unconditional love. One study (
PsychologyToday.com), was conducted in a nursing home, used crickets to be cared for by residents. Besides being easier to feed and house, the crickets provided companionship and eased loneliness.
How have your pets helped your mental well-being?









3 Comments
Zachary Tomlinson link
6/24/2020 12:17:06 am

Thanks for helping me understand the mental health benefits of owning a dog. I find it amazing to learn that these furry friends can help someone recover from mental illnesses and boost someone's mood as well! My friend was diagnosed with mild anxiety the other day and I want to help her recover asap. I'll share this with her and suggest that she get one of those Yorkie puppets she loves as a pet.

Reply
liana link
9/22/2022 08:46:29 pm

thanks for info

Reply
Charlotte Fleet link
10/28/2022 04:16:08 pm

I find it interesting that having a pet can relax one's muscle tension. My husband told me that for the past few months he has been very stressed, and his muscles are always tense as a result. We'll have to look into buying a puppy in the next month to reduce our overall stress and to help him relax.

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