If you, like me, are an animal lover, then you may already
know this; having a pet is actually good for your health. Really good in fact!
They boost your mood
This one may seem obvious, as we all get very attached to
our dogs, but they're a serious mood booster! If you take just 15 minutes of
your day to play with your dog, research has proved that you will feel much
happier for the rest of the day. Many people will point to the fact that they
play with their dogs for much longer, too. Research has also proved that dogs
provide companionship on the same level as human companionship.
Forget medicine!
The British Journal of Health carried out studies that found
people with dogs were on average far healthier than those without. The dog
owners had lower cholesterol and had fewer heart attacks. They also, on
average, took less medicine and had fewer medical problems. Which leads me onto
my next point...
Dogs keep you on the move
Your dog encourages you to exercise and stay fit. If you
have a medium to large dog, you should be walking it at least one time per day.
Therefore dog owners tend to be healthier and fitter than their non-dog owning
counterparts.
Introvert to Extrovert
Dogs increase your sociability tenfold. It has been proven
that dogs make you more approachable and more social. They even help people get
over being shy. All this contributes to a healthier and happier you.
Stress Relievers
Picture the scene: It's been a long day at work. You're
tired. You're frustrated. You need to unwind. Some of us sit down and put the
television on. But those of us with dogs find comfort in the four legged pals.
Dogs have been proven to provide much needed stress relief to their owners.
They are the ultimate masters in helping us relieve stress and feel calmer.
Think of your kids!
Children with dogs in their home have fewer sick days, a
better immune system and are in general far healthier than those without dogs.
Cancer... Check... Arthritis... Check
Those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis will move and play
more often if they have a dog. What's more, humans and dogs get the same types
of cancer. This means that we discover more about the disease from studying
dogs. Dogs really are helping us in the discovery and cure of cancer!
So as you can see, a dog in the home can lead to health
benefits that you may have never even realised.
Credit: Samantha Taylor
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