Animals aren’t only cute and cuddly, they also offer some great health benefits! Studies have shown that interacting with animals can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. So whether you’re a dog person, cat person, or prefer horses or goats, there are health benefits to be gained by spending time around our furry (or not-so-furry) friends.
Here are three ways animals can positively affect your well-being:
Pets Can Provide Companionship and Help Reduce Stress Levels
Pets can offer companionship and aid with stress. Having a pet may provide someone with a sense of purpose and responsibility, which may help to reduce stress levels and provide a sense of routine. Pets also give us unconditional love and friendship, which can assist with anxiety. Spending time with pets can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels (the “stress hormone”). Not only that, but interacting with pets boosts levels of oxytocin (the so-called “love hormone”), serotonin (a neurotransmitter responsible for good feelings), and dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with rewards). These chemical changes within the brain lead to overall decreases in stress and anxiety. So if you’re searching for a method to cut down on stress, why not get a pet?
Did you know that animals can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing?
Animals Can Improve Mental Health and Well-being
Animals can make us feel happy and relaxed, and they can also provide much-needed companionship. Whether it’s a pet, a friend’s dog, or even just watching wildlife, many of us have experienced the joy of spending time with an animal. Interacting with animals has been found to lower stress, increase feelings of happiness and calm, and even improve anxiety and depression symptoms. Some mental health clinics now provide therapy sessions with therapy dogs, which proves just how beneficial spending time with animals can be. So next time you’re feeling melancholy, go for a stroll with your dog or pay a visit to a local animal shelter; you might discover that their tail wags along with your mood.
Animals Can Help Us Connect with Nature and Improve Our Overall Mood
It’s no secret that spending time in nature may help you feel more calm and energetic. However, to reap the benefits of spending time outside, you don’t have to go on a trip in the woods or spend the day at the beach. Even interacting with animals might help us feel more connected to nature and improve our mood. Studies have shown that animals can decrease stress, loneliness, and depression while also growing socialization skills and a sense of wellness. This includes playing fetch with a dog or watching fish in an aquarium. Something as simple as this can help us feel calmer and boost our mood.
Why Avanti Senior Living at Flower Mound is Pet-Friendly
Avanti Senior Living at Flower Mound is a safe and loving community for seniors and their pets. We understand the companionship that pets provide, and we want to make sure that our residents can continue to enjoy the joys of pet ownership. We know that your pet is part of your family, and we welcome them to our community with open arms. Contact us today to learn more about our pet-friendly policies.
