Pets can really boost our physical and mental health, giving us unconditional love, companionship, and happiness. However, dogs especially give us plenty of these benefits as they are loyal animals that shower us with love and need an active lifestyle for them to be strong and happy. A dog’s presence is always known, and they radiate happiness which reflects onto us as owners, instantly making us forget about our worries and stress. Their cute little faces greeting us as we walk through the door can melt our hearts.
But how can dogs boost our physical and mental health aside from being cute and loving? Explore just what a dog can do for your physical and mental health in this guide and uncover how much good they can do for us.
Lowers stress and anxiety
Dogs can help to lower your stress levels and any anxiety you may be feeling. It is proven that petting a dog for around 5 minutes can relieve any stress from the day. The longer you pet your furry friend for, the more stress falls from your body and mind, allowing you to feel happier, take a breather, and feel so much more relaxed. As well as this, interacting with your pooch can combat anxiety. If you feel anxious or struggle with anxiety daily, petting and other interactions can help to reduce your blood pressure, which helps to make you feel much calmer.
Improves emotional wellbeing
Your furry friend can bring you a better state of mind as they improve your emotional wellbeing. Dogs are very intelligent and can pick up on when something isn’t right. They can read your emotions or know when you’re unwell. That’s why whenever you’ve been sad or feeling sick, your dog has been right at your side to try and comfort you. Your furry friend feels a sense of purpose when you’re ill or upset and does everything in their power to make you feel better. Interacting and stroking your dog can instantly boost your mood, even when you’re happy, they can make you happier! Having them around constantly leads to better mental health for the long-term, as they’re right by your side through the good and the bad, letting you know that they care.
Allows us to get active
Dogs are active beings and need to go on walks to release their energy. Different breeds will determine how much they need to release their energy. For example, a dalmatian needs a super active lifestyle as they are balls of energy, while a pug is a little more laid back. Some dogs need walking 2-3 times a day while others can be walked once a day or even every other day. Due to dogs needing exercise, they get you active too. They push you to head outdoors and get some steps in every day while having fun with them. As well as this, dogs love to play to release more energy, which requires more physical activity from you as an owner. They play in the home and out on your walk, making you run after them sometimes which gives you a more intense workout. No matter their age, you can gain regular exercise which improves your physical fitness levels and your mental health!
A happy dog makes us happier
To bring you all the benefits for your physical and mental health, your furry friend needs to be cared for, loved, and looked after. It’s no surprise that having a happy and healthy dog will, in return, make you happier. Ensure that you exercise your dog regularly and feed them the right food that they need. Provide quality foods, such as lamb dog food, as these are rich in nutrients and proteins to support your pooch’s overall vitality. Giving them plenty of love will increase the amount of love they give you in return, as a happy, playful, and well-fed dog can be equipped to provide comfort and companionship.
Less chance of heart disease
A factor you may not know with dogs is that they can give you a lower chance of suffering from heart disease. This is because they encourage you to have a more active lifestyle, heading out for long walks and playing as much as possible. This lowers your blood pressure which puts you in a good place to avoid developing heart disease. Plus, playing and interacting with your furry friend releases oxytocin and dopamine, which are brilliant natural hormones that positively impact your mental and physical health.
Helps with managing weight
Due to the exercise you get with having a dog, you can better manage your weight. Exercise is vital for burning calories and maintaining a healthy weight. If you regularly walk your dog, you are less likely to become obese as you are constantly exercising. Walking for only 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and other health issues. On top of this, 30 minutes of light to moderate walking a day can contribute to a better quality of sleep, helping you to function better every day.
Gives us opportunities to socialize
Dogs can help you feel less alone as they are there for you every day, no matter what. They can be an outlet for you to talk to, even though they don’t understand you. They’re always there to lend an ear and give you a cuddle. Also, dogs can give you opportunities to meet others when you are out and about on a walk. Many dog owners gravitate to each other when walking their dog and can create friendships. You can socialize with anyone that walks past too, boosting your social skills and confidence. You may even find a dog walking group on social media and create friendships within that or naturally form a group of neighbors who walk their dog at the same time as you.
Gives us a sense of purpose & happiness
Your pooch relies on you to take care of them and keep them happy, which instantly gives you a sense of purpose and responsibility. This can make you feel happier, especially if you live alone or don’t have a big family, as you have something to take care of. Having this responsibility can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, while giving you plenty of laughs and love along the way. Receiving unconditional love back from your furry friend brings you immense happiness and joy. They truly enhance your life and bring structure to your day, encouraging you to get out and about, exercise, and meet new people. This releases lots of endorphins and fills you with positivity every single day, making you a happier and healthier version of yourself!