We all know that a pet, whether you have a dog or a cat, is one of the ways to improve your quality of life. The many benefits of having a dog or a cat go beyond the physical. Pet owners are often likely to have better-coping skills, live healthier lives, and tend to be more social than those who don’t have pets. Read on to know more about how having a pet can make your life and your health so much better.
Whether you are a lifelong pet owner or someone on the fence about adopting a dog, you know that having a dog or a cat around the house is always a good thing.
Many studies have shown that having a pet cat or dog helps decrease your body’s reaction to stress. In fact, even something as simple as petting a dog after a stressful situation can help decrease blood pressure and stress hormone levels by a noticeable amount.
A study by Washington State University found that petting an animal for 10 minutes can significantly lower the production of the stress hormone cortisol. This can in turn help lower blood pressure significantly since increased levels of cortisol are linked to higher blood pressure.
Some people may find it awkward to do deep breathing exercises by themselves, but this comes naturally if you are petting your pet or taking it out for a slow walk. Walking the dog after a busy day at work can help you recalibrate your stress responses so you can return to a normal breathing rhythm.
