We all know that pets are awesome. They are much more than animals. They become a part of the family. But we don't really pay attention to just how good pets are for you. Having pets provides you with a lot of emotional benefits beyond just enjoying having a cat or dog. They can also help you to relieve your stress levels and make you feel better and more positive on a daily basis. Consider these different ways having pets will help reduce your stress.
You Get Regular Exercise
This is more of a benefit to dogs, but other pets can also help you get exercise. When you have dogs, you need to take them outside to go potty and should preferably take them on at least one longer walk every day. This is really going to help with your overall amount of fitness, which can help reduce stress. Exercise gets your blood pumping and also happens to release endorphins, which are the happy chemicals in your brain. This is why you suddenly feel so much better after a good run. Even if you have cats or rabbits, you can play with them indoors and still get more exercise than you would have otherwise gotten.
They Provide Companionship
Pets will also provide the companionship you might be craving. If you live alone, it can be really hard on the psyche. Even people who don’t like to be in relationships or who tend to keep to themselves still get lonely when they are by themselves all the time. With a pet, you have constant companionship from a pet that is always there willing to offer you cuddles and play time. Different pets will offer different types of companionship, but it doesn’t matter what type of pet you have; having them is a great way to better their lives by giving them a stable home, while they help relieve your stress.
You Practice Responsibility
Having pets will also help you to practice responsibility, which believe it or not, can help with your stress levels. Perhaps you find that you focus so much of your time and energy on work and chores, that you are in need of something else to occupy your time. When there isn’t something that is keeping your mind off your relationship or work stress, it tends to overwhelm you. If you were to have pets, they would take up more of your time in order to take good care of them, so you in turn have more distractions.
Pets Offer Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Some people have emotional stress due to not being in a relationship or not having a lot of family around. If you recently moved across country for a new job, you may really be feeling that loneliness. Perhaps you just broke up with your girlfriend and you find that you are missing someone to love you unconditionally. A pet will always provide acceptance and unconditional love.
If you want to learn more about managing stress, go visit the new ministry page on Managing Stress.
Eric Dempsey
MS, NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
for
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.