Are you considering getting a pet? If not, well, you might want to!
An American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly poll found that 86% of pet owners said their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health.
While owning a pet comes with great responsibility, like dedicating time for daily walks, grooming, and visits to the veterinarian, there are many positives that might just push you to make that move.
One of the biggest motivators for anyone interested in owning a pet is the impact pets can have on our mental health. Keep reading to learn how pets can support your mental health and ways existing pet owners can bond with pets to enhance mental well-being.
Three Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet
1. Emotional Support: Pets provide unconditional love and companionship, which can relieve feelings of loneliness and offer emotional support during challenging times, like grief, breakups or injuries.
CHRIS 180 Compliance Manager Jose Sucre shared the joy of having his dog Canela waiting for him when he gets home. “After a long day, it’s always a pleasure to have him waiting for me to give me all his love; it’s like taking a happy pill.” He added, “We both enjoy our time together, when we play or when I take him for a walk; those boosts of dopamine that I get from him are very therapeutic.”
2. Stress Reduction: Interacting with pets, such as petting or walking a dog, can help lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of relaxation.
“Pets are a great way to calm a person who is feeling anxious, angry or rushed. Studies have shown that petting your pet can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and trigger your brain to make the “happy chemicals,” added CHRIS 180 Clinical Director Jeniffer Clark, LCSW.
3. Routine and Purpose: Caring for a pet establishes routine and responsibility, which can help create structure in daily life and provide a sense of purpose, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with mental health issues.
If you own a pet but don’t feel connected to it, keep reading for activities you can do to bond with your pet and improve your mental and emotional well-being.
Three Tips for Connecting with Your Pet
1. Exercise: If you own a dog, consider going outside for some fresh air and going for a walk, jog, or to play a game of fetch. Physical activity has been proven to decrease stress hormones like cortisol, release endorphins, boost energy and improve mood and sleep.
2. Bonding Time: Spend quality time with your pet as you would with a family member or friend! Simple activities like grooming, cuddling or teaching them new tricks are easy ways to connect with your pet. According to the Public Library of Science One, “Studies have shown that petting, cuddling, or even just being around a dog stimulates your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that deals with cognitive behavior such as emotional interactions and decision-making.”
CHRIS 180 Therapist Helena Hoffman, M.Ed., NCC, APC, described how her two cats, Theo and Laszlo, help her well-being. “I believe my mental health is greatly improved by having my two boys. It’s an absolute delight to have someone to come home to, as someone who lives alone, and it’s highly entertaining to watch them interact with each other and me. Petting them is also a great way to sensory soothe!”
3. Join Pet-Friendly Classes: If you are feeling lonely, doing activities with your pet can create opportunities for you to meet new people. These activities can promote social interaction and, therefore, boost confidence and build community with people who have similar interests. So, consider joining a Facebook group for ferocious cat owners or hanging out at a local dog park.
Overall, the benefits of becoming a #dogdad or #catmom are almost endless. Having a loyal companion right by your side might be what you need to get through a mental health challenge, whether it be job loss, heartbreak, death of a loved one or loneliness.
If you need extra mental health support or want to talk to one of our licensed, trauma-informed therapists, please call 1-800-896-4106 to get started.
