Whether it’s a dog, cat, goldfish, or hamster, animals provide companionship and they can even help improve your mental and physical health. I’m sure most animal lovers reading this know exactly what I mean.
You love your pets. They make you laugh, keep you company, and are really great to have around. Okay, they may make a mess or two, but you know it’s all worth it when it comes to having a furry best friend. They bring so much joy and purpose to your life.
Pets have always been good for your physical and mental health but now there’s actual data on the subject! Much research has been dedicated to analyzing the correlation between our pets and our overall health. From lowering blood pressure, decreasing stress levels, and improving our mental health, it is no secret that there are tremendous benefits to owning a pet.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has found that having a pet, “can serve as important sources of social and emotional support…”
Pets can be a reason to get out of bed each day or even an emotional lifeline when you’re feeling down. Animals can get you that much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air by getting you outside. And they can help those with depression, anxiety, or loneliness.
Out pets give us unconditional love which helps us to feel needed, wanted, and worthy of love.
Pets are a wonderful addition to any household. They can provide companionship, loyalty, and many laughs. Owning a pet brings many benefits to the owner and their family regardless of the type of pet.
Read on for some of the mental and physical health benefits animals provide.
Emotional Health Benefits of Having a Pet
- Increase feelings of responsibility
- Provide companionship
- Make you laugh
- Give a sense of connection
- People see pets as their family
- Provide comfort
- Improve confidence
- Boost self-esteem
- Pets help people to feel loved, wanted, and needed
- Help you create human connections
- Give a sense of purpose and meaning
- Decrease depressive symptoms
- Provide emotional support
- Give people a reason to get out of bed and start their day
- Provide a social connection
- Reduce anxiety
- Decrease loneliness
- Raise dopamine and serotonin
Physical Health Benefits of Having a Pet
- Reduce blood pressure
- Boost immune system
- Prevents heart disease and stroke
- Reducing cortisol the stress hormone
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce cholesterol
- Get you outside- fresh air and vitamin D
- Encourage exercise
- Help you to be more active
If you want to hear more about the benefits animals have on your mental and physical health then check out my podcast episode, The Impact Pets Have on Mental Health.
Listen to the podcast here
Do you have a fuzzy, scaley, or feathered best friend? Let me know in the comments or message me with a picture!
Make sure you sign up for my newsletter to avoid missing any articles or podcast episodes!