Pet Project
A pet is not only a great companion, but they can also benefit your health. If you already have pets, you know how much work they are. You might think a pet would raise your stress level and your blood pressure. Actually, pets lower your blood pressure and help you cope with stress.
Pets Get It Done
Not only can a pet lower blood pressure, but a dog can actually lower your cholesterol. Nobody knows how it works, but all things being equal, people who have a dog have lower cholesterol than people without. It may be that having a dog makes you get out and walk. People who have a dog walk 20 more minutes per week than people without a dog, and we all know more walking is better. And, if you’ve had a heart attack, a national study showed that dog owners had better survival rates.
Dogs Make You Happy
Pet owners also seem to be more optimistic and have better mental health. A pet gets the focus off your own problems and on to caring for another. We are programmed to care for something, and if all the kids are gone, who do we care for? A pet!
A Healthy Friend
Dogs have especially been shown to promote psychological health. They have a calming effect on their owners - at least most of the time. Petting a dog for 45-minute every week benefits mental health. Dogs also help you meet people. When you have a dog with you, three times as many people will stop to talk to you.
Allergy Guard Dog
Although many people are allergic to dogs and cats, having a furry pet when you are a young child actually lowers the likelihood of being allergic. Having a pet when you are a child makes you less likely to be allergic when you become an adult. This is also true for asthma. If you have a dog when you are a child, it has some protective effects against asthma.
One Dog, Two Cats, Red Bird, Blue Fish
Not every situation allows a dog or a cat, but fish, birds, or even a hamster can improve your health. Watching fish swim around an aquarium has been shown to lower blood pressure. Bringing nature closer is good for the soul.
Fishy Therapy
Animals are often used in therapy. Many nursing homes have therapy pets or allow them to visit. Even birds and fish improve our happiness. Having an aquarium of fish has been shown to help Alzheimer’s patients improve their physical health.
Pet Peeves
Having a pet is not easy, especially a cat or a dog, as they can get expensive. And they can also be annoying and destructive. Training can help, especially for dogs. Also, it is possible to get an infection from a pet, so good hygiene is essential.
If your situation allows, bring a pet into your life. Make it your pet project.
