Every individual living in the human species seeks emotional support. We all have at least once experienced the need for unconditional love and support. There is no better source of such tenderness and warmth than a four-legged animal.

People owning pets firmly believe that their animal companions provide them with emotional support during stressful conditions, and science backs this belief without a doubt. Having pets around often switches a bad mood into good in no time, confirmed by a large section of Americans in various studies.

PETS AND HUMAN HEALTH:

There are enough studies have been conducted to confirm a strong connection between pets and human health. Even a small interaction with pets can have both physiological and psychological benefits. A few of such are listed below:

1. Lower Blood Pressure

A research has shown that petting a dog can lower your blood pressure by 10%. Dog owners tend to go out for a walk more than those who do not have a dog. Regular jogging has a significant effect on decreasing the blood pressure. In a recently conducted study, a group of people with abnormal heart functions were noted to live longer who owned pets than those with no pets.

2. Reduced Cholesterol Levels

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that pet ownership helps achieve reduced cholesterol and triglycerides. As a result, it reduces the risk of heart disease and increases the survival among heart patients.

3. Increase Outdoor Activities

Dogs are the best work-out partners one can have. Dogs often push you for a walk or exercise even if you do not want to get out of your bed. A study shows that dog owners walk about 5 hours per week, which is three times more than those without a dog.

4. Decrease Stress and Anxiety

Pets are known as one of the best stress busters. Spending a few minutes with pets has remarkably positive neurological effects. Research shows that pets restore the product of oxytocin in the brain which decreases the stress level, hence it can prove one of the best remedies for anxiety.

5. Increase Socialization

Pets can really help build human-to-human interactions and improve socialization. Pet owners are prone to meet new people in their communities. People going out for a walk with dogs may know that they at least once or twice cross their paths with their neighbors in a week’s time. This often results in a long conversation and builds the relationship. Some of these interactions turn out to be a life-long friendship.

HAPPINESS AND PETS:

1. Make You Laugh

Laughter is the best medicine, as they say. Pet owners would like to admit that their animal companions can be real fun. We all may have observed that there are various activities pets do to make us laugh.

Abolish Isolation

A study conducted in 2020 showed that about 25% of all children in the USA lived in single-parent families. People living in such families often prefer adopting pets to get rid of the loneliness which has effectively helped the cause.

Bring Calmness

Playing with pets helps release of a neurotransmitter known as dopamine in our brains and increases its levels in our body. This has calming effects on the mind that bring peace and happiness.

Empathy and Affection

Psychologists across the country agree that families with pets have their kids develop the skills of nurturing and caring of their pets, and children become more empathetic as they grow into adults. These adults have more fulfilling relationships than those without pets and live a happier life.

Learn Forgiveness

People who have pets know that pets do everything they can to annoy them. It can include chewing on their expensive wallet, digging up in the garden, ignoring commands and so on. When pets do all these, one cannot get angry at them; instead, they have to forgive them as parents do.

This often helps parents become sympathetic and develop the skill of forgiveness. This virtue does not limit to the relationship with a pet only, but it is carried out to the relations with other people too and, ultimately, helps one become a better, happier human being.

AGING ADULTS AND PETS: 

As people grow old, they tend to lose a sense of purpose as a result of retirement from work or because their children have moved away. Adopting a pet can fulfill the need for a companion during this stage of their life and develop a sense of self-worth.

PETS AND CHILDREN:

Studies have shown that pets can help hyperactive kids develop a skill of calmness. Children growing with a young pet in the family build healthier relationships with other people too. Pet’s love and companionship makes a child feel important and helps them build their positive self-image. Pets never criticize, hence they help with building confidence in children. Kids can interact with pets without the fear of being judged, that helps them become more interactive.

AIDING IN OTHER AILMENTS :

Studies show that patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have lesser stress spurts that have animal companions at home.

Children with learning disorders such as Autism are reported to communicate with pets in a better way than with humans. Pets help these kids learn to regulate stress and calm on their own and help them achieve the control over the illness.

Pets are known to be great partners for kids with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). With a pet at home, such kids learn and develop the skills of empathy and responsibility which they lack because of the illness.

CONCLUSION:

To conclude, pets not only bring home happiness, but they come with countless other benefits to human health that one can only experience by having one by their side. So, people who are in a dilemma, it is more than worth getting one now.