Pets are companions who bring great joy and comfort to the owners' lives. These cute, furry creatures can light up your otherwise dull life in a very pleasant way. Yes, taking care of pets is a serious commitment and comes with a lot of responsibilities. But the perks of tending to these little bundles of joy can easily override your dread for additional pressure they might bring. Adopting a pet can be immensely beneficial for both physical and mental health. Recent scientific research shows that pet-owners lead significantly healthier lifestyles than most people. Many pets, especially dogs, have a great sense of empathy. That's why they often prove to be even better companions than a family member. We are here to highlight some such benefits pets can bring to life, so it's easier for you to consider if you want to adopt one for yourself.
-
Reduces stress: Spending quality time with pets, stroking or cuddling them can reduce your stress level significantly. The act of petting your furry friend helps boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the bloodstream. That's why it gets easier to achieve a state of calmness.
-
Helps lower cholesterol: Spending time with your pets can also help lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the body. So you can easily achieve a healthier body.
-
Helps coping with a heart attack: Company of a cute animal can be extremely beneficial for patients surviving heart attacks. Research shows that, among heart-attack survivors, pet-owners tend to live longer than non-pet-owners.
-
Helps to get exercise: Taking care of a pet often involves a lot of physical activities. Especially if you are a dog owner, you definitely have to make time every day to take them out for walks. This can be a great way to get some exercise for yourself as well. Just walking around in the nearby park every day with your pet will help both of you get the necessary physical exercise to stay fit.
-
Helps reduce blood pressure: As caring for a pet reduces stress and helps you get necessary daily physical exercises, automatically it also helps keep blood pressure in check.
-
Helps to socialize: If you are a notorious introvert having trouble socializing, then pets can create opportunities for you to actually go out and meet new people. While walking your furry friend around in the neighborhood, you will get more chances to make new friends with like-minded people.
-
Helps reduce loneliness: People suffering from loneliness should definitely consider adopting a pet as they can be great companions. Most pets are very attuned with human emotions and thus can provide a lot of comforts when needed.
-
Helps to cope with PTSD: Pets can improve mental health exponentially. People suffering from PTSD can get a lot of relief in the company of a pet. Pets often help them to cope better in difficult situations. Taking care of them gives a sense of purpose which reduces the possibility of negative emotions invading the mind. There are emotional support animals up for adoption who are specially trained to assist people with anxiety and depression issues.
-
Helps prevent allergies: Growing up with pets can help alter body structure in a way that is very helpful in preventing allergies and asthma. So children with pets are less likely to develop random dust or food allergies as they age.
-
Great company for the elderly: Pets provide reliable companionship to older adults. Pets help nurture a good balance between physical and mental health. This is why elderly people get even more benefits out of keeping pets with them because they tend to get sick more often. Pets become a source of happiness for them when they might start losing the meaning of life. Pets create an overall positive effect on the body and mind which helps boost immunity. Research shows that older people owning pets need to visit the doctor far less than those who don't own pets.
-
Helps kids with learning disabilities: Kids who are autistic or who have ADHD can benefit greatly from the company of a pet. Animals are not judgemental, unlike most people. So they are perfectly suitable to be the friendly support system for kids with various learning disabilities who find it difficult to communicate with others.
-
Helps build a sense of responsibility: Taking care of a pet is almost like parenting a child. So raising a pet builds a sense of responsibility. It also helps you to stay more organized in your daily life.
Now that you are more informed about the great benefits a cute little furball can bring to your life, keep in mind that for adopting a pet you do have to have a love for animals. And not every pet would be suitable for your wants and needs. So before adoption, research carefully what kind of animal would fulfill your requirements. If you feel unsure, then you can consider volunteering in a nearby animal shelter for a few days to get a feel of what taking care of each pet entails. Then you would have more clarity to decide on the kind of pet you would like to have. There are a variety of options to choose from. You can go the most common way with cats or dogs, or opt for more exotic options such as snakes or lizards. Even adopting a little hamster or hedgehog can fulfill your purpose.