It’s National Pet Day!
Pets do not only make great companions and supply us with our daily dose of cuteness, they also help improve our quality of life!
Here are 6 reasons why having pets improve our quality of life:
1. Pets help reduce stress
Pets beg to be petted, obviously. This simple act of stroking your pets’ fur or feathers stimulates your body to release a relaxation hormone to help soothe and ease stress, also potentially lowering blood pressure.
Many recent studies have found that pets reduce stress more than human support. Do a quick Google search and you’ll find there are more therapy pets around your area than you realize.
2. Pets encourage physical activity
Having pets, especially those you can interact with such as a puppy or a kitten, will make you more likely to go on daily walks and become more physically active.
It’s hard to just sit on the couch without playing fetch with your furry friend who’s giving you the cutest puppy eyes. This regular physical activity helps reduce your risk for high blood pressure and make you more less likely to get heart disease.
3. Pets teach us to be social
Little do you know it but pets actually give us more opportunities to connect to people. How many times have you struck up conversations with people at the park who just saw how cute your pupper is, or how your pets make your guests feel more at home when entertaining a house party.
Pets teach us to be more social in this day and age where humans prefer to talk through a screen.
4. Pets ease loneliness
Most people get pets because of their capability to love us unconditionally. It’s a great feeling to come home after a long day at work knowing your pet is just there waiting to greet you and give you all the loving you need. Having pets give us a sense of belonging and ultimately a little less lonely.
5. Pets lower your risk for allergies
That’s not clickbait material, it’s true. Interestingly, some recent studies have found that being around pets early in life can help reduce your risk for developing allergies. The Pediatrics department of the University of Wisconsin found that early exposure to dogs decreased the risk of developing allergic diseases.
6. Pets generally makes us happier people
Pets are generous with their love and respect to us and gives us the support we need through difficult times and somehow make us happier, and less negative people.
This list was adapted from this article by Viagen Pets.
myowncalcuttablog.com says
Where would we be without our pets?
Lisa Chan says
A very sad and dark place for sure! ?