May is National Mental Health Awareness Month
It’s no secret that stress levels and mental health concerns are on the rise.
In preparation for National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, is sharing just a few of the ways cats and dogs can help people’s overall health.
Some ways dogs and cats benefit mental health include:
Companionship: Pets can keep people company and provide a sense of security, which is especially important for those who live by themselves or spend large amounts of time on their own.
Stress Relief and Mood Enhancer: Science has proven that pets make people happier. Even the simple action of making eye contact with a dog or cat release oxytocin (the love hormone) and dopamine (a neurotransmitter), both of which have been proven to help ease anxiety and depression. Being around pets can also lower cortisol, which can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Just taking a few minutes to pet a dog or cat can positively impact people’s moods.
Healthy Habits: Pets benefit from a daily routine, which has also been shown to benefit people too. Routines can provide stability and a sense of purpose for those experiencing anxiety and depression, for example.
Confidence: Taking care of a dog or cat means being responsible for their health and wellbeing. This responsibility can boost feelings of self-confidence and self-worth, both of which are important for improving overall mental health.
More Outgoing: In the modern era of loneliness, it can be difficult to meet new people. Strong social connections are linked to better mental wellbeing, reduced stress, and improved mood. Pets are natural ice breakers, and in addition to getting people out of the house, they provide opportunities to meet like-minded pet-lovers.
Plus, there are tons of physical benefits associated with having a pet, too:
Workout Buddy: Just like people, pets need regular exercise. If becoming more active or just getting outside more is a goal, consider an energetic dog to help get you going. Walking at a vigorous pace five times per week can provide the moderately intensive cardiovascular exercise most physicians recommend.
Better Balance: Whether it’s walking the dog around the block, bending down to refill a food bowl, or playing a game of fetch in the park, caring for pets keeps people active. These activities involve movements that help improve balance, coordination, and flexibility, which are especially important as people age.
Healthier Diet: Many foods that are good for humans are healthy for pets, too. Dogs love healthy bites like raw sunflower, pumpkin seeds, watermelon, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, bananas, apple slices, and baby carrots. Cats can get in on the fun, too – felines enjoy fish, like salmon or mackerel, plain boiled chicken, and even a bit of cheese or egg.
Heart Health: The American Heart Association has noted that pet ownership, particularly with dogs, is probably associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Interacting with companion animals has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease.
Speedy Recovery: Studies have found that dog owners in particular often recover better from a heart attack or stroke. A study of cat owners also found that their risk for cardiovascular death, including stroke and heart attack, was significantly lower.
There are so many ways that pets enhance people’s lives. According to Best Friends data, roughly seven million people in America are planning to acquire a pet this year, and if just six percent more people chose to adopt versus purchase their pets, we could end the killing of dogs and cats in our nation’s shelters.
For those who can’t adopt, fostering or volunteering at a local animal shelter are great alternatives to help increase pet lifesaving. To find a local shelter or rescue group and learn about more ways to help, visit bestfriends.org.