Most of us have a simultaneous love-hate relationship with our pets: one moment they are demolishing the brand-new sofa, and the next they are showering you with affection. But regardless of how they act, or how you feel about them, there are various reasons why having a pet is good for your health:
1) Lower blood pressure and less stress. Studies carried out by the University of Warwick have shown that interacting with pets (such as stroking them or playing with them) can lower your blood pressure and make you more relaxed. Another study tested to see if pets had the same effect on highly strung stockbrokers. The researchers found that the blood pressure reading of stockbrokers who owned pets was significantly lower than that of stockbrokers who did not keep pets. Of course, this does not ring true if everyone ” if you do not like animals or are afraid of them, pets will most likely have the opposite effect.
2) Recovery from illness. Pets have been known to help people in miraculous ways, but the most common success stories involve heart attack patients. Many studies have shown that pet owners who have suffered from a heart attack survive longer than those who dont, and have a lower risk of heart disease. Pets also offer a certain amount of social support for someone who someone who spends a lot of time in bed recovering from a disease or surgery, which contributes to a speedy recovery.
In extreme cases, such as when a person is in a coma, surgeons have even recommended for a pet to be brought to the patients bedside. While there is no real evidence to support this claim, there have been incidences when the pets presence helped the patient awake from their coma. Dogs, in particular, have also been known to offer relief to Alzheimers and Parkinsons patients.
3) Improvement in social life. Most domesticated animals are highly social creatures, and are therefore great company. Whether it is a dog that follows you around the house, or a cat that rubs up against your legs, pet owners have a constant source of social interaction. Pets can also be great conversation topics both in and outside the home.
4) Happiness. It is often underestimated how much pets can influence our happiness. In many cases they have helped their owners deal with loss and hardships, even helping them fight depression. Some psychologists have even recommended the use of pets in therapy sessions, as petting a rabbit or playing with a dog raises the serotonin levels in our brain. Being greeted by an energetic dog or purring cat that is excited to see you can be very uplifting if you feel like the life just isnt going your way. This is why pets are also used in elderly homes, to help individuals feel less lonely and isolated.
Whether you have had to file for bankruptcy or end your marriage, a pet will love you regardless; and this unconditional love is the best remedy to ensure our health and happiness.