YOUR POOCH CAN HAVE A PAW- SITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Owning a pet is a simple way to reduce the stress in your life — even just petting your cat or dog can be amazingly beneficial, says Sleepeezee ambassador Dr Ranj
Ivisited Battersea Dogs & Cats Home recently to find out a bit more about how our four- legged friends can help us feel a whole lot better. After all, research shows that 95 per cent of pet owners think of their animal as a member of the family.
It’s no surprise then, that household pets can have a huge impact on health and well- being.
But you’re probably unaware of just how much your furry friends are affecting your life…
WALKIES VS WORKOUT
Naturally, dog owners get more exercise than those who don’t have a dog to walk. In fact, you’re 3 ½ times more likely to meet the government’s recommendations for daily physical exercise thanks to your four- legged friend.
And the best part about it? Dogs won’t accept your excuses for skipping a workout and will drag you out of the door whether you’ve had a long day at work or not. Let’s face it, how many times have our pooches sat at our feet looking up with those puppy dog eyes?
BYE, BYE LONELINESS
Is there any better feeling than coming home to an excited, lovable pet every day?
I don’t think so. It can be the ultimate boost to your mood after a bad day, especially if you live alone. Loneliness can lead to things such as depression, and even affect our heart health. Caring for a living creature is proven to reduce this risk – no matter what age you are.
An interesting study involving more than 600 children, carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showed a little more than half of them had pet dogs at home.
Results showed 21 per cent of the children who did not have a pet dog tested positive for anxiety – compared with only 12 per cent for those who did.
A similar study, carried out among elderly people who were left to care for crickets for eight weeks, showed an improvement to their mental health – proving the positive impact living creatures have on our well- being, no matter what their size.
“Twenty- one per cent of children without a pet tested positive for anxiety while only 12 per cent with one did”