The Friendliest Health Hack
This morning as I was walking with our dogs, I was reminded just how special a pet is, even for our health.
There are dog lovers and cat lovers. Horse lovers and lizard lovers. No matter your favorite, any pet can be beneficial to your health. I am a dog lover, so I will be talking dogs...but you can sub in any animal you love.
To me, having our dogs in our house makes it feel more like a home. I also like knowing that having a pet has numerous physical and emotional health benefits. Here’s a few:
Increases your healthspan. Having a dog and needing to take it for a walk increases how long you are healthy which is different than how long you will live. Studies show that older adults with dogs experience fewer limitations in their daily lives and have fewer doctor visits. I'm all for that!
Keeps you active. A dog gives you a reason to go outside even on the coldest days. Taking a dog for a walk or a hike doesn’t feel like exercise, it just feels like what a responsible pet owner does. The exercise you get on the walk, is a bonus!
Lowers your blood pressure. The presence of a pet is calming (unless it is a troublesome puppy)
Counteracts loneliness. Having a pet around makes our life feel less lonely. They’re always happy to see you no matter your mood.
Makes it easier to meet people. Pets help initiate conversations between neighbors and fellow dog walkers. Case in point, our daughter met her husband while walking her dog.
Lowers your stress and anxiety. Petting a dog or cat for as little as 10 minutes has been shown to lower stress hormones and increases oxytocin which lowers your heart rate and lessens anxiety levels.
Helps you maintain and lose weight. You can feed them all your leftovers so you aren’t tempted….JK! Playing with your furry friend or taking them for a walk increases your activity level which means more calories burned and a faster metabolism.
So, if you have a pet at home, make sure you thank them tonight. They are making you healthier after all!