Had a bad day at work? Never mind. Your pet at home is the perfect drug for your mood. Indeed, there are numerous benefits of pets, especially on your mental health. Don’t believe me? Read this data-backed blog on the same to learn some new facts about it.
For most of you, your dog or a cat is your family member. Some of you even prefer etching its name on your nameplate.
Pets can be your perfect companion. Think of the unconditional love you get from them. After a whole day of strenuous activities and brain drain, your furry friend comes running to you with immense happiness. They are just glad to see you and be with you. They never judge you. They love you unconditionally.
Well, if you consider counting the benefits of pets, it’s a long list. But do you know your pets can heal you mentally? Yes, you read that right.
Pets are a great source of comfort, motivation, and emotional support. Doctors these days are asking people who live alone to have pets because they help you fight loneliness.
Think of the huge craze for animal-assisted therapy programs these days. Many studies have proved that there is a positive connection between your pets and your mental health.
Keeping this in mind and also for the immense respect I have for all pet owners, today we’re discussing the benefits of pets for your mental well-being. Today, you’ll get a detailed analysis of the correlation between having pets and having better mental health.
Along with that, you will also get the scientific data to support the reasons for having pets, and how you can find your perfect pet.
Are you ready to get into this loveable adventure of knowing how your pets impact your mental health? Let’s begin.
10 Surprising Benefits of Pets for Your Mental Health [With Scientific Data]
The trend of becoming pet parents today is much more than being biological parents. In a recent survey, by the American Pet Products Association, it was revealed that nearly 90 million people from the US population own pets.
Since pets are your family members, they need your care, love, and attention. However, the relationship you have with your pet is not one-sided. Think of the kind of love they give you once you’re back home.
Some pets wait at the door for their masters or mistresses to come back home. If this is not pure love, I don’t know what is.
Well, when it comes to getting back from your pets, let’s just not restrict it to love. There’s more.
Let me show you how scientific research has proved a healthy connection between your mental health and pets. Besides, I’ll also talk about the benefits of pets and their large impact on your improved mental health.
Further, you’ll get a detailed idea of how can you find your perfect pet (if you don’t have any).
Scientific Data on the Impacts of Pets on Your Mental Health
In the Healthy Minds monthly poll, the American Psychiatric Association found that 86% of pet owners agreed that their pets had a strong impact on their mental health.
Through this poll, people found that pets played a vital role in their lives. From being non-judgemental to them to being the key companion to reducing their stress levels, the pets helped them grow.
From this research, the American Psychiatric Association concluded that pets impacted the lives of humans in the following ways:
- They help reduce your stress and anxiety.
- They are a source of unconditional love and support.
- They offer companionship without any judgment.
- The presence of pets creates a calming atmosphere.
- Pets become your true friends.
Further, in 2016, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted a study on exploring the role of pets in social networking. They found that pets provide a sense of security and discipline to their owners.
In addition, they help their owners to stay away from suicidal and negative thoughts. Further, the study also found that having a pet helps their owners fight loneliness.
In a 2018 study, both qualitative and quantitative analyses proved that pets can strengthen the mental stability of people losing their sense of purpose in life. They enhance the feeling of social support and improve the lifestyles of their owners.
According to a 2021 study in Malaysia, several people adopted pets during lockdown. The study revealed that spending time with pets during the pandemic boosted people’s mental health. In short, the pets had taken care of their overall well-being.
So, if so many scientific studies can prove the positive impact of having pets, it’s time that we have one too.
Top 10 Benefits of Pets to Improve Your Mental Health
Even in the 21st century, mental health is a taboo. Although society is transforming, it still needs at least three more decades to understand mental health and consider it important.
However, your pets have understood mental health much earlier than humans did and they do their best to improve your mental health. There is a strong connection between pets and mental health.
Given below is a list of benefits of pets on your mental health. Learn how pets boost your mind and keep you energized.
1. Pets lower your stress levels
Think of a hard day at work. Suppose, you’ve fought with your boss. You are not in a happy-go-lucky mood.
However, once you’re back home, your pet comes to you and demands some of your time and attention. Here, never shoo it away. Instead, engage in some fun activities with your pet. This will deviate your mind from the bad day (if you have had one) and make you happy.
Playing with your pet enhances the feel-good hormones. Besides, it normalizes your blood pressure, reduces your heart rate, and lowers the cortisol or stress hormone.
2. Pets keep your anxiety in control
No one can give you the kind of companionship you get from your pets. They are warm, affectionate, accepting, and supremely loyal to you.
The moment you hug a pet amidst a chaotic situation, instantly you will feel a sense of security. You know there’s someone with whom you can share. You understand that even if the world goes against you, your pet is here for you.
The comforting feeling of touching a pet, precisely hugging or stroking its body, contributes to your overall well-being.
3. Pets help you become more mindful
Both dogs and cats teach you how to live in the moment. And, that’s what mindful living is all about.
You can’t disagree with the fact that you live amidst a lot of distractions. Be it social media or your work pressure, something or the other keeps bothering you every now or then.
But look at your pet. They are least bothered about what’s happened in the past. Neither do they ruminate about what might happen in the future. Spending time with your pets teaches you to accept and appreciate the present.
4. Pets reduce the effects of depression
Studies have proved again and again that pet owners have a lower chance of developing depression.
A beautiful aspect of pets is they have this amazing quality of sensing a human’s emotional state. When we had a pet dog in my childhood, he was my biggest comforter. Every time I shed tear (when I was scolded for my mischievousness), my dog would come closer to me, sniff me, and bark right in front of me to understand what was wrong. It’s a beautiful feeling of being wanted and heard.
Your pets are genius at interpreting your body language, gesture, and tone. The moment they understand you’re feeling low, they try their best to comfort you.
Trust me, no human being, boyfriend, husband, wife, or girlfriend will put so much effort into making you as happy as your pet would be.
5. Pets make you feel needed
Your pet is always there beside you. The way your pet cares for you makes you feel needed and wanted.
However, like you, your pet needs an equal amount of care and attention too. You must have the responsibility of looking after your pet.
In case you’re living alone, this caring behavior towards your pet triggers your purpose for living. Gradually, you understand the meaning of having a simple life.
6. Pets listen to you patiently
Your pets are always there to listen to you. They are willing to listen to every word you say without judging you.
Your pets don’t care how affluent you are, what luxuries you have, or your position in the professional field. All that they want is to make you happy.
They are thrilled to see you back home from the office. They get overjoyed when you buy some toy for them or take them on a ride.
Neither do they misunderstand you, nor criticize you. They let you speak your mind happily.
7. Pets enhance your socializing skills
When you have pets at home, you get an extra topic to chat about. They help you connect with new people, and get into new friendships.
Besides, if your pet has a habit of taking a stroll in the evening, you meet with other pet owners. Here, you can discuss your shared interests. Another perfect place your pet takes you to socialize more is during their vet’s appointments.
8. Pets make you more disciplined
Having a pet is another responsibility altogether. Just because your pet cannot speak, it doesn’t mean you can keep on ignoring it and your pet won’t say a word.
Being a pet owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. Your pet requires regular cleaning, feeding, and exercising. So, you have to fit this pet regime into your daily routine.
This makes you stay active and energized. Besides, you develop a great bond with your pet. Most importantly, your pet starts trusting you.
9. Pets keeps you fit
The subheading says it all. Your pets keep you active most of the time.
Think of dogs. Not engaging pet dogs in several activities every day makes them gain weight. Gradually, they start developing diseases.
To keep your pets healthy, regular movement is a must. You start taking your pets outside for a run or walk. This releases more feel-good hormones, enhances your mental health, and keeps you happy.
10. Pets imbibe happiness
How can you stay sad after looking at that cute face? It’s impossible!
You’ll be surprised to know that eye contact with your pet dog allows your brain to release the love hormone, oxytocin, as concluded in a study. This immediately lightens and brightens your mood.
How Do You Find Your Perfect Pet?
I have spent most of my childhood with our pet dog, Tiger. He was the most perfect companion a child could ask for.
Have you already decided to gift yourself a pet this year? Congratulations, please go ahead. Trust me, you’ll never regret your decision.
Is something still bothering you? Are you wondering which pet would be perfect for you?
Let me help!
- Firstly, discuss your decision to have a pet at home with your family members. You may not be the only person living in the house. So, make sure you consider other’s opinions too. Ask your family if they are comfortable staying with a pet.
If any of your family members is afraid of pets, try to make them understand. However, the only way to overcome the fear of pets is by having one.
- Secondly, consider the kind of lifestyle you lead. If you stay indoors mostly, you can invest more time in taking care of your pets. Besides, your pets would love to cuddle with you.
But, if you stay outdoors, make sure someone in your house takes up the responsibility of conducting the daily chores for your pet. Just like humans, your pets need nourishment too.
If you have small children or toddlers at home, consider buying a controllable pet. You can go for small dogs with manageable energy levels. Bigger dogs might knock over your small kid.
Make sure to consider your home environment. If you want to have a pet and still keep your home free from muddy footprints and long hairs, consider adopting a bird or fish.
- Finally, adopting a pet means you are committing yourself to a new family member for a long time.
During all these years, you’ll be accountable for your pet. So, be responsible and committed enough to understand your pet’s concerns and take the right actions at the right time.
Conclusion
Having a pet by your side is one of the most fulfilling feelings. At the end of the day, you know there is someone who would be all happy and joyous to see you, someone who is waiting for you.
Keeping in mind the benefits of pets for your mental health, you can think of having one soon. If you have the time and money to keep your furry feathered friend healthy, it’s surely going to be a source of your enjoyment.
However, despite the benefits of pets on mental health discussed above, it is not a perfect cure for your mental health concerns. Consulting a mental health practitioner would be a better choice if your concerns are serious, along with adopting a pet.
