Pets more than friends! Benefits of having pets for your mental health
What is a pet?
It is certain that animals give us not only love ,but also many benefits for our mental health and general wellbeing. Having a pet is having a best friend for your entire life. So before bringing an animal to your home, consider what kind of animal is better for you (dog, cat, fish) according to your work, time and space at home, etc.
How did animals become pets?
Pets are the result of domestication. Animals live with us because we fulfill their needs (food, shelter, companion, love, security, etc.) and they fulfill ours as well . The first domesticated animals were Gray Wolves and wild cats from ancient Egypt. Nowadays, we live with dogs, cats, fish, birds, etc. It is certain that pet’s owners feel comfortable at home, loved, committed and responsible .
9 Benefits of having pets
During the pandemic, people who lived alone were more prone to adopt a pet because they felt lonely. Caring for a pet makes you feel loved, needed and wanted. As a result, you may feel secure and happy.
1.Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
- Spending time and communicating with animals restores peace of mind and normalizes blood pressure.
- An experiment with cats, made with 200 people who suffered from depression, neurosis and social phobia, showed that cats restored mental balance.
- Pets give people the sense of having someone to share with. They make you feel secure, reducing anxiety and stress.
2.Boost immune system
Studies have shown that people who have pets, especially dogs, have better immunity.
3.Increase your physical activity
When you have a dog you need to take him out at least once a day. A lot of people use this time to exercise (walking, running or jogging with them).
4.Reduce cortisol levels.
It is certain that even looking at an animal you like or love makes your brain release endorphins (happiness hormone), increase the production of oxytocin, the attachment hormone, and reduce cortisol (stress and danger hormone).
5.Boost your self-confidence
Taking care of another being makes you feel responsible for that life and that sensation of responsibility and love is what boosts your self-confidence, improving your sense of achievement and purpose.
6.Improves your mood and reduces the loneliness feeling
It is known that animals make us smile, for that reason, next time you are sad or feel lonely just sit next to your dog (or pet) and you will notice how your mood improves and you feel comfortable, loved and positive.
7.Build social skills
All of us may benefit from socializing with animals. For example, It was proved that Autistic people can create an unconditional relationship with their pets. As a result, their social skills and confidence will improve.
8. Benefits for people with ADHD
People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)benefit from the routine of having a pet because it helps them in other areas of their daily lives, creating routines, structures and discipline.
9.Release excess energy
Hyperactive people-especially children- may benefit from having an exercise routine with their pets, allowing them to release those high energy levels and making them feel more calm.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/pets-and-mental-health
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
