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How a Pet Can Improve Your Quality of Life

The Key to Longevity

By Luke StavrosPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Owning a pet brings endless joy, but it's not just about having a pet and enjoying having it with you, it's also about improving your quality of life.

Stress Management

Studies show that just touching a furry companion can reduce stress. It creates a calming effect and as a bonus, some animals (especially cats and dogs) are perceptive in this area. I don't know exactly how or why this is possible (maybe it has something to do with chemical changes in the body of a stressed person), but it is very helpful to make everyone feel at ease. Less stress leads to a healthier life.

Lower Blood Pressure

Being around animals not only reduces stress, but also lowers blood pressure. Simply brushing or stroking your pet can lift their mood and keep their blood pressure at a safe level. Of course, having a pet isn't the only way to manage high blood pressure (exercise and a healthy diet help too), but it doesn't hurt.

Exercise

Having a pet that needs regular exercise means you exercise too. The first pet that comes to mind is a dog. They should walk at least once a day, preferably more often. However, playing with your cat or cleaning your hamster's cage can also be exercise if done right. But be careful not to overdo it. Small animals can become sick or injured when overloaded. An online search for "vet near me" will show you the location of the nearest vet.

Allergies

Contrary to popular belief, having a pet does not make you more prone to allergies. Studies show that early contact with pets can reduce the chances of developing pet allergies as you get older. Having a pet has many benefits for families as it helps them take care of themselves responsibly.

Socializing

Pets are also a good reason to socialize. Not everyone is a natural extrovert who enjoys socializing and making friends quickly. Having a pet creates common ground with other people and opens up avenues of communication. Something as simple as walking the dog can help you connect with like-minded people. Having someone to talk to can help alleviate loneliness and depression. Even if you don't want to talk to people, having a pet at home can help you feel less lonely because you're not alone. Empathy is the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of others, which helps us find common ground and is key to helping us connect with other people. Dogs and cats can help increase harmony with others, animals are believed to have a unifying effect in our presence. Our mutual love and admiration for our pets helps us find common ground that can form the basis for working with other people.

Reduce Loneliness

Pets not only boost self-esteem, they can also reduce the loneliness we feel. In one study, pet dog owners reported that their social needs were effectively met by both their pets and their friends. Subjects reported that their dogs gave them a strong sense of self-esteem, belonging, and a meaningful presence. Contrary to stereotypes, however, people seem to stop relying on their pets when they lose human interaction. So people not only look to pets instead of having friends, but also enjoy being with their friends.

Conclusion

Pets play a major role in improving the quality of human life. Seemingly instinctive, it provides immense pleasure and entertainment that positively affects the physical and mental health of its owner. They are the pinnacle of equal opportunity, utterly indifferent to race, gender, zodiac sign, resume, dress size, ability to do cool moves on the dance floor. The simplicity and depth of it’s love, along with the health benefits of daily walks and the social pleasures of chatting with fellow dog walkers, are an ongoing joy. They teach children to be responsible, altruistic and compassionate, and how to deal with the death of a loved one.

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About the Creator

Luke Stavros

I'm a healthy living consultant I love dogs, cars and other stuff, big fan of other stuff

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