The harmful effects of stress on our minds and bodies are now widely recognised. The good news, though, is that our four-legged chums can make a noticeable positive difference to the way we feel and behave – and the knock-on effects for our physical health are plentiful. Whilst we’ve touched upon a few of the mental health benefits of pet ownership in the past, this month – in honour of Stress Awareness Month (which also happily coincides with National Pet Month) – we’re delving deeper into the topic, thanks to the wisdom and generosity of leading vet and d award-winning author, Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller.
In the article below, Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller breaks down the science and highlights how our furry friends help to reduce our stress levels and improve our overall wellbeing. If you’re considering adopting an older dog and wondering how doing so might improve your health and happiness, we believe the facts and figures prompt real paws for thought. Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller explains:
“Stress in our daily lives is increasing, either due to external factors or the pressure we put on ourselves. According to a 2020 survey in the UK, work stress was the most common type of stress, experienced by 79% of respondents. This is followed by monetary stress (60%), family stress (48%), health stress (45%) and relationship stress (35%). These figures show that we desperately need help in relieving stress. So, how can cats and dogs help? Let’s look at the top 10 main ways:
1: Reduced stress
A study found that people working on a stressful task felt significantly less stressed when their pets were with them, as opposed to a spouse, family member or close friend. People who were pet owners – especially dog owners – perceived less stress compared with people without pets.
2: More relaxation
Stress can be countered by relaxation and mindfulness, and pets are great de-stress boosters and relaxants! Nothing heals and relaxes us better than talking to our two-or four legged companions without the fear that they may judge us. When we talk to our pets, we get rid of our problems, worries and pain.
3: Increased happy hormones
Our hormone levels are positively affected by the deep-rooted bond with our pets. After just five minutes of cuddling our furry friends, the ‘happy’ hormone, dopamine, the ‘wellbeing’ hormone, endorphin,and the ‘love’ hormone, oxytocin, are all excreted more. These increased hormonal levels lead to stress reduction.
4: Improved sleep
A study showed that 56% of pet owners allow their pets to sleep in the bedroom. Of those, 41% do not feel disturbed by their pets and claim to have slept better. Sleep seems to improve more when a pet is in the bedroom, but generally not in the bed itself.
5: Reduced depression
Stress over a long period of time can increase the risk of developing depression if you don’t have a proper coping mechanism in place. In 2014, 22.5% of women in the UK suffered from depression, which is much higher than the worldwide number of 3.4%. Pets in general have been shown to be effective antidotes to depression due to their ability to reduce our stress levels. The same applies to mood swings and negative thinking.
All smiles: Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller and one of her trusty, four-legged friends
6: Improved mental health
By helping us to enjoy the moment and to focus on what we are doing right now in the present, cats and dogs can support our mental health. In a study, 26% of pet owners said that they got a pet because they are aware of the related mental health benefits, and an amazing 87% of cat owners felt the positive impact of their cat on their well-being.
7: Reduced blood pressure
The American Heart Association regards dog ownership as a possible causal role in reducing blood pressure. Owners of adopted dogs showed significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared with people who did not adopt dogs.
8: Increased exercise
Daily walkies with your dog are a perfect way to get rid of stress. Interacting with your four-legged companion leads to a decrease of the stress hormone cortisol – for you and your dog.
As stress also has a negative impact on your cardiovascular health, daily dog walking is the perfect exercise to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. By improving cardiovascular health, research found that dog owners live longer after a heart attack than non-dog owners.
9: Reduced pain
If you feel pain and are in desperate need of a painkiller – turn to your pet! Even five minutes with a dog or cat increases our level of endorphins. Endorphins are natural hormones produced by the body that have a similar chemical structure to morphine; they are therefore considered natural painkillers. Their function is to activate opioid receptors in the brain, thus reducing pain.
10: Improved immune system
Laughter reduces stress, depression, anxiety and pain, and the beneficial impact of laughter on the immune system is well known. Pets often make us spontaneously laugh. Studies found that dog owners laugh more frequently than people without pets, and people who own both dogs and cats laugh even more, helping them to increase their immunity naturally.
Conclusion
The best way to relieve your stress is by having cats and dogs and interacting with your furry companions. The amazing multiple benefits our four-legged friends can enable us to live happier, healthier, less stressful and more joyful lives.”
Article by Dr Margit Gabriele Muller, leading vet and award-winning author of Your Pet, Your Pill: 101 Inspirational Stories About How Pets Lead You to A Happy, Healthy and Successful Life, out now, available on Amazon.
If you know an older person who might be struggling with loneliness and its related emotional and physical strains and stresses, CareDogs might be able to help, so please do get in touch. By supporting older people to adopt older rescue dogs – and by promoting intergenerational friendships through our volunteer dog-walking and companionship service – we aim to make a meaningful and long-lasting positive impact on the wellbeing of our clients and their newly adopted doggies, making for a happier, healthier society. If you’d like to join our kind-hearted community as an older dog adopter or as a volunteer dog walker, we’d love to hear from you!
