Did you know that your pet can help with mental health? Pets provide a sense of companionship and love that can be very beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues. In this blog post, we will discuss how pets can help with mental health and some tips for those considering getting a pet to help with their mental health. We hope you find this information helpful!
Lowering Stress
Pets reduce stress-related hormones, according to studies. And these benefits can be seen after only five minutes of interacting with a pet. As a result, pets are highly beneficial for people suffering from anxiety. Playing with a dog or cat increases our levels of serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals calm and relax the nervous system when we smile and laugh at our dogs’ adorable actions. Furthermore, stroking a friendly dog has been shown to lower blood pressure. As a result, it reduces stress. Studies have also revealed that dogs can assist calm hyperactive or aggressive youngsters by reducing their activity level. In one experiment, a group of stressed-out people has instructed to pet a rabbit, a turtle, or a toy. The effect of touching the toy was zero. However, stroking the rabbit or turtle diminished anxiety. Furthermore, even individuals who didn’t enjoy animals benefited from this practice.
Increase Sense Of Well-Being
In the first study, 217 individuals were asked about their well-being, personality type, and attachment style. In addition, pet owners were more satisfied, healthy, and adjusted than non-owners. A second experiment was conducted with 56 dog owners. Researchers looked at how pet owners feel about their pets. They also measured participants’ general well-being. One group of people said that having a dog increased their sense of belonging, self-esteem, and significance. As a result, these individuals had greater overall well-being than the others in the study. In addition, the third study included 97 undergrads with an average age of 19. As a result, researchers discovered that pets might assist teenagers in coping with rejection. Teens wrote about a time when they felt left out. They could then choose one of three options: write about their favorite pet, write about their favorite friend, or draw a campus map. In dealing with feelings of rejection, writing about pets was just as beneficial as writing about a friend.
Childhood Anxiety
According to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having a pet dog may help to reduce anxiety in young children. A total of 643 youngsters were in the study. Over half of them had domesticated dogs at home. They measured BMI (body mass index), anxiety levels, screen time, and physical activity. As a result, they discovered that all of the kids had comparable BMIs, screen time, and physical activity. This was true whether or not they had pet dogs. However, their levels of anxiety were different. 21% of children who did not have a pet dog tested positive on an anxiety screening test. Conversely, only 12% of those with dogs tested positive for anxiety. As a result, pets appear to have a favorable influence on child stress and anxiety.
Make Us Feel Needed
When people have a pet to care for, they feel more needed and desired. The act of caring for another living thing provides us with a feeling of purpose and significance. Furthermore, this is true even if the pets don’t interact with their caregivers regularly. Elderly individuals were given five crickets in a cage in a 2016 study on pets and mental health. Researchers tracked their emotions over eight weeks. They also compared them to a non-pet-sitting control group. As a result, persons given crickets reported feeling less sad after eight weeks than those in the control group. As a result, researchers determined that caring for a living thing produced mental health benefits.
Relationship Skills
Studies show that children with a strong emotional bond to their dogs have a simpler time forming friendships with others. Dogs are particularly attuned to their owner’s emotions and sentiments. As a result, because dogs pick up on human signals, they assist in the emotional growth of youngsters. Furthermore, animals make socializing easier for youngsters who are stressed. Researchers observed that these kids were more friendly with their classmates than autistic children without a pet guinea pig in the class. They smiled and laughed more and exhibited fewer indications of stress as well. The therapeutic benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy extend to developing interpersonal skills. As a consequence, teenagers develop significant and enduring connections with their horses. The confidence and abilities they acquire then translate into relationships with family and friends. This is an essential step in development and healing.
Provide Unconditional Love
Pets don’t judge us. They offer us solace, companionship, and non-judgmental love when we’re at our worst. When we’re struggling with mental illness, pets can provide much-needed emotional support. A 2013 study found that depressed dog owners were more likely to stick to their treatment plans than those who didn’t have a pet. In addition, they reported feeling more supported by and attached to their dogs. The participants also said their dogs helped them feel loved and accepted unconditionally.
Conclusion
In all, pets provide us with emotional stability, diversion from mental health symptoms, a sense of identity and purpose, and social skills. In addition, they give us love unconditionally no matter what state we’re in. People struggling with mental health issues must consider getting a pet for these reasons. Pets can be the light at the end of the tunnel during tough times and can help speed up recovery.