It's no secret that taking care of a dog comes with a lot of responsibility. There are also many benefits that have been shown to have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. We've put together a list of five health benefits here!
De-stressing and calming
- If you often feel stressed and anxious, a dog can help relieve this. Scientific studies have shown that spending time with dogs can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
Taking a long walk with your dog in the fresh air, stimulating play or cuddling and closeness can increase the production of serotonin and dopamine. These are neurotransmitters that give us feelings of joy and motivation, which in turn give us energy and energy to tackle the challenges of the day.
Company and friendship
- Having someone around you who depends on you for your well-being makes you feel both useful and valuable. Especially for those of you who live alone, or for other reasons feel excluded or lonely, having a dog nearby can alleviate these feelings. Instead, these can be replaced with closeness, friendship, and being of great importance to someone. These feelings confirm our basic social needs for security and love.
Structure and routines
- When you become a dog owner, a number of new tasks are added to your daily life. Dogs need to be walked several times a day, they need to be stimulated physically and cognitively with play and activity, they need to be fed, brushed and groomed. These tasks not only contribute to a balanced, happy and calm dog, the same benefits apply to you as well. The daily tasks that need to be carried out to take care of your dog also help you to become a more balanced, organized and structured person.
Regular activity
- Dogs need daily physical and cognitive exercise. Your dog needs to be walked and played with several times a day, which is a great way for you to get a nice walk in the fresh air or a playful cardio session in the park. Regular activity contributes to a good mood, more energy, better sleep and is essential for achieving good physical and mental health.
Reduces loneliness and opens up for socialization
- There can be many reasons why you feel lonely or maybe you don't get enough social stimuli. Especially during and after Covid, many people have experienced loneliness and being alone. Maybe it has been difficult to find their way back to everyday social life? Dog owners tend to love talking to each other about their obvious, common interest. Why not take a walk in the park and use your dog as a tool to help you socialize and get in touch with new people?