If you have ever owned a dog and sadly experienced its loss, then you know how much he have meant to you and how close you had become. Now you can truly say that a dog was part of your family because you have experienced this wonderful relationship.
A dog brings so much to our lives and the lives of our family, yet we can sometimes overlook just how much.
While a dog brings unconditional love to us, there are many other real and tangible benefits to improve your health, such as mental, physical, social and emotional benefits.
1. Improve Mental Health
Today, studies are showing more and more that pets improve our mental health status. Many years ago, dogs were brought into the psychiatric hospital wards as a test to help calm patients, as well as encourage these patients to cooperate. Today, we know that dogs can improve our moods drastically.
Have you ever felt sad or down in the dumps and had your dog bring you his ball to play? How did it make you feel, especially if he was panting and wagging his tail while looking into your eyes? Most likely your mood changed and you began playing ball with your pooch. This is a perfect example of how a dog can cause an automatic shift in your mood and get you out of a slump. Unconditional love offered by a dog can also cause positive chemicals to be released to the brain, thereby averting negative stressor chemicals (such as cortisol) found in the flight or fight syndrome. When positive occurrences are experienced, mental health improves greatly.
2. Improve Emotional Status
Dogs greatly improve the emotional status of their owners. Have you ever owned a dog and he automatically came over to you when you were crying and licked away your tears? Studies show that a dog innately responsive to the emotions of his owner and therefore will readily respond to them. Dog owners are shown to be happier in studies than individuals who do not own dogs.
3. Assist with Physical Health
Through research we now know that people who have a dog as a pet are healthier than non-dog owners. Dog owners have a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For people that have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or seizure disorder, many times their dogs are able to assist and alert their owners when a negative episode is about to happen. This could actually save their owner’s life!
4. Help with Socialization and Fitness
A dog can aid in the defense of depression, anxiety, and panic. Having a dog to socialize with is an excellent way to get out and about for many individuals.
Socialization for your dog is vital to its wellbeing. This is a great reason for you to get out of the house and get some fresh air with your dog. Walking, jogging, running, and hiking are all excellent ways to keep in shape for both you and your dog. You could even include swimming and bicycling! There are many owners who socialize with their dogs in this way, enabling both you and your furry friend to stay fit and trim.
Dogs are outstanding creatures to help improve their human’s life. I hope you all have a dog in your house – you won’t regret it. I have always had a dog in my house and can’t imagine being without one.