Animals aren’t only adorable and cuddly; they also have a number of health advantages! Interacting with animals has been shown in studies to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. So, whether you’re a dog person, cat person, or like horses or goats, spending time around our furry (or not-so-furry) friends may provide you with some health benefits.
Here are three ways that interacting with animals can benefit your mental health:
Pets Can Provide Companionship and Help Reduce Stress Levels
Pets can provide companionship and support when you’re stressed. Having a pet may give someone a sense of purpose and duty, which can help to reduce stress levels and offer a feeling of routine. Pets also offer unconditional love and friendship, which can aid in the reduction of anxiety. Spending time with pets has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels (the “stress hormone”). Not only does owning a pet lead to decreases in stress and anxiety, but it also is proven to boost 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 interact together to create an overall decrease in stress. So if you’re looking for a method to reduce your stress levels, why not get a pet?
Did you know that animals can have a beneficial influence on our mental health and well-being?
Animals Can Improve Mental Health and Well-being
Many of us have had the pleasure of spending time with an animal, whether it’s a pet, a friend’s dog, or simply watching nature. Animals are known to reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness and serenity, and even improve anxiety and depression symptoms. It has also been discovered that interacting with animals lowers stress levels, increases feelings of joy and peacefulness, and improves anxiety and depression problems. Therapy dogs are often available at certain mental health clinics, demonstrating how useful pet-related activities might be. So the next time you’re sad, take your dog for a walk or pay a visit to a local animal shelter; you could 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 can make you feel more calm and energetic. You don’t have to go on a trip to the woods or spend the day at the beach to profit from spending time outside. Even interacting with animals may help us feel more connected to nature and boost our mood. Animals have been shown in studies to help with anxiety, loneliness, and sadness while also improving socialization skills and a sense of well-being. Playing fetch with a dog or watching fish in an aquarium is one example. Something as easy as this might make us feel happier.
Why Avanti Senior Living at Lafayette is Pet-Friendly
Avanti Senior Living at Lafayette 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.
