Pets can be a fun and beneficial addition to your household. Not only do pets provide lots of love and many entertaining moments, they can also help reduce some health risk and help prevent some mental health issues. Pets can be a source of positivity in your life.
5 Health Issues Pets Can Help You With
Pets and Your Weight Loss Goal
There’s an abundance of statistical information supporting the repercussions obesity can have on your health. If you have set a weight loss goal and made a commitment to eating a more health-conscious diet, a dog can help you with those goals. Walking the dog is a pleasant and beneficial form of exercise. If walking your dog is part of our daily routine, your dog won’t let you forget when it’s time to go on that walk. When you replace unhealthy foods with healthy choices, you can share some of the healthy items such as carrots, broccoli, salmon, chicken, yogurt, oatmeal and green beans with your dog. Not all foods that are healthy for humans are safe for dogs so be sure to check the safety of a food before feeding it to your dog.
Overcoming Addiction
An addiction to alcohol or drugs can have many repercussions on your overall mental and physical health. Once you’ve committed to overcoming an addiction to alcohol, resources such as the Soberlink device can be a helpful tool for you and can provide peace of mind for your concerned family members. However, the companionship of a dog or cat can provide comfort to you during your recovery as well. Pets are non-judgmental and are excellent listeners when you need to verbalize your feelings.
Maintaining a Healthy Heart
Pets can help you maintain a healthy heart. Dogs can help you remain active which is beneficial to heart health. Stress is a contributing factor to heart disease. Watching fish swim in an aquarium, petting a cat, interacting with a dog or going for a horseback ride are excellent ways to relieve stress. In addition to supporting heart health, pets can be a beneficial addition to the recovery process for those who have had a heart attack.
Pets and Allergy Prevention
When children are raised in a home where they have furry friends as playmates, they are less likely to develop common allergies such as an adverse reaction to dust mites, ragweed and grass. Not only is this a benefit to them as children, it can also prevent them from becoming vulnerable to lifestyle-altering allergies as adults. Pets can also have a positive impact on a child’s emotional and mental health. They can be a great comfort, a playmate and a friend they can comfortably confide in.
Pets Can Help Prevent Depression
Loneliness and depression sometimes go hand in hand. Pets can provide the companionship needed to relieve loneliness. It’s not just dogs and cats, but also small animals such as birds, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs that can give purpose to one’s life. Pets depend on their owners to love and care for them. Having something in your life that gives you responsibility and purpose can help alleviate loneliness and depression. Pets can be the distraction you need to take your focus off yourself and your troubles. Dwelling on unpleasant thoughts or excessive worrying can lead to depression. When you’re engaged in some type of activity involving your pet, your thoughts will be on that activity, not on your troubles. Pets love unconditionally so there’s no pressure to be anything other than yourself when you’re connecting with them.
There’s an abundance of reasons to share your home with at least one pet. You’ll be doing something good for your mental, emotional and physical well-being. You’ll also be gaining a fun, loving and devoted companion. Small caged animals, chickens, dogs, cats and larger outdoor animals have an amazing ability to steal your heart, fill a void in your life, increase your level of happiness and have a positive impact on your health.
April Monty
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
Pets are so amazing, they help with physical and emotional well being.