Natural Health and Pets
They’re brought into hospitals and assited living homes to comfort and delight patients.
They’re lovable, furry and loyal and according to one study, they may actually be more helpful than a spouse or close friend, especially in relieving stress!
Basically, they’re a wonderful form of natural health care.
The reason? Much of our stress is the result of critical or judgmental behavior. While a pet just loves you!
Research shows that pets not only bring comfort to the lonely, they can lower your heart rate and blood pressure and improve your mood, especially if you’re prone to depression.
According to the Animal Health Foundation in Southern California, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the animal-human bond, pets offer many of the following benefits:
- Dogs can prevent and help us manage emotional upheavals in our day to day lives
- Children respond with less stress to physical examinations in a doctor’s office and dental exams when a ”therapy” or “comfort” dog is present in the room
- AIDS patients who own pets experience less episodes of depression and less stress.
- Pets increae our general ability to deal with uncertainty and sudden illness
- People with dogs generally get more exercise walking their dog once or twice a day
- Dog owners are less afraid of becoming a victim of crime when walking with a dog and feel more protected when living with one
- The elderly who own pets cope better with stressful events, without having to seek medical intervention
- Tanks of brightly colored fish help reduce typical behaviors of people with Alzheimer’s disease
- Pets reduce stress for those who feel isolated socially and lack the ongoing support of family and friends
If you suffer from emotional stress, you might want to consider a loyal friend who will love you unconditionally… and never question your judgment!
