There’s nothing better than having a furry friend to greet you after work. Pets love us no matter what, and that’s pretty awesome. But did you know they can also help us in other ways?
Imagine coming home feeling stressed after a big test. Studies show that petting a dog can actually lower your blood pressure, making you feel calmer! Pets can also be like little exercise buddies. Walking your dog or playing fetch with a cat gets you moving, which is good for your heart.
An estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet.
Scientists are like super detectives figuring out how cool pets can be for us! They’re checking out all sorts of animals, from fish that shimmer in bowls to cuddly dogs and playful cats. They want to see if these pets can help us feel better in two ways: our bodies and our brains!
Improve your Mental Health:
Ever feel happy and calm when you cuddle your pet? There’s a cool reason for that! When you scratch with your furry friend, your brain makes a special chemical called oxytocin. This oxytocin is like a tiny hug for your brain – it makes you feel closer to your loved ones, including your pet and helps you relax when you’re feeling stressed.is great for keeping your heart healthy. So, cuddling with your pet is a double win – it makes you feel good and helps your body stay strong!
Slowing cognitive decline:
Human minds are amazing, but there are some times when they are not working quite well. Therefore, there is a need for partners. Scientists have figured out that having a pet makes your mind sharp. One study found that a child who grew up with a pet over 5 years did better in tests than a child who grew up without a pet.
Now, this couldn’t say for sure that a child grown up with a pet has a sharp mind, but Scientists say that it might be because a pet makes you feel happier.
Feeling alone! It can even make us feel a little under the weather. But guess what? Pets can be awesome friends who chase those lonely feelings away. Here’s the surprising part: even cuddly pets can help! Another study gave fuzzy friends to grown-ups who might not be able to take care of a real pet. These cats and dogs even made sounds and wagged their tails! After a while, the grown-ups felt less lonely and sad.
Social health benefits of owning a pet:
Ever walk your dog and have someone stop to chat about how cute they are? Or maybe you’ve posted a pic of your fluffy cat online and gotten a bunch of likes. Pets can be like social butterflies, helping you connect with other people!
Dr. Millstine, a super smart scientist, says that meeting new people because of your pet can actually make you feel healthier overall. Feeling lonely can be a bummer, but pets can help chase those blues away. And guess what? When you feel good and connected to others, it can even help you live longer! So, cuddling with your pet or talking about them with others is a double win – you feel better and make new friends!
Conclusion:
From calming you down to helping you make new friends, pets can be amazing companions! They can even help your brain stay sharp. So, if you’re ever feeling lonely or stressed, cuddling your furry friend might just be the perfect pick-me-up!
