There is widespread recognition that pets provide benefits to mental health; however, the nature of these benefits remains uncertain and high-quality randomised experimental studies are particularly lacking.
Pets can help improve your mood by providing companionship and giving a fun activity to focus on, especially for those living alone. They can also act as an antidote for feelings of self-pity by offering something fun to do!
1. Companionship
People seeking companionship often envision spending time with someone. Pets offer great companionship by encouraging socialization, helping to relieve loneliness and providing structure in day-to-day lives of their owners.
An affectionate pet can put any individual in an upbeat state of mind and take your mind off daily worries or problems.
Children often feel secure around pets, and having one in the home can increase their sense of security. Furthermore, animals teach children responsibility, compassion and empathy - as well as decreasing levels of stress hormones and blood pressure while encouraging exercise.
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2. Affection
Many of us know the joy our pets bring into our lives, yet little research has been conducted into the specific benefits pet ownership can bring for people living with mental health conditions. This is changing quickly due to formalized animal contact in closed settings like animal assisted therapy (AAT).
Caressing your pet not only brings them joy but can give you a sense of purpose and motivation. Furthermore, spending time at dog parks or veterinary appointments with your animal could increase social interaction among those who share an affinity for animal-lovers - creating potential longer term social bonds that aid recovery from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
3. Emotional Support
Pets can provide valuable emotional support. Their presence makes us feel loved and accepted, which in turn increases confidence and self-esteem. Pets also give owners a sense of meaning and purpose - being responsible for the care of an animal can motivate us to get out of bed, go shopping and exercise more regularly.
Studies indicate that pets provide many psychological and practical advantages for people living with diagnosed mental health conditions, in addition to providing emotional and social support from family, friends, or online groups. Furthermore, studies suggest they may even be more effective than other forms of behavioral therapy while remaining cost-effective.
4. Motivation
Caring for an animal fosters a sense of responsibility that can drive people towards developing or maintaining healthier lifestyle habits, like taking your pup for daily walks and engaging in physical activities like exercising regularly or keeping an overall balanced lifestyle in check. Pets also encourage children to develop compassion, empathy and responsibility; engaging with animals can even help regulate several hormones related to mental health such as oxytocin which reduce stress while increasing self-esteem levels.
Note, however, that not all pets can provide this effect - only those suited to an individual's lifestyle and temperament can provide these advantages. This is especially relevant for individuals living with mental illness as well as co-morbid conditions related to long-term conditions that cause mental illness symptoms.
5. Stress Reduction
Pets provide owners with an outlet for expressing emotions without fear of judgment or reprisals from others. Caring for pets also gives structure and gives people a sense of control - helping reduce stress levels as a result.
Stroking or petting a pet instantly alleviates stress and soothes anxiety, fulfilling our basic need for touch. Even hardened criminals in prison have shown significant long-term changes after engaging with pets.
Studies have demonstrated how animals, not just dogs and cats, can significantly enhance an owner's wellbeing by alleviating stress and anxiety. These pets are known as emotional support animals.
6. Relaxation
Relaxation is a state of deep rest which calms both mind and body, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, reduces muscle tension and can even prevent long-term stress-induced health concerns like high blood pressure. Therefore, relaxation should be part of any healthy lifestyle plan to promote long-term wellbeing.
Many people employ relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga and tai chi to unwind and relax. Others utilize guided imagery by envisioning peaceful scenes such as the beach through all their senses.
Qualitative studies have suggested that having pets as companions can help decrease feelings of loneliness and provide social interaction for those diagnosed with mental health conditions or co-morbid symptoms due to long-term physical conditions. More research needs to be conducted in this area.
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