Pets and Stress Reduction

Do pets add to the stress that pet owners experience or do pets help relieve stress?

Research exists that show how pets relieve stress. Animals have been known to diffuse anger when you pet them.  Sometimes even having a pet like a bird of fish that you obviously cannot pet has helped to reduce stress.

According to the Harvard Medical University Health Publication, “Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even reduce rates of asthma and allergy in children who grow up with a Fido or a Frisky in the house. Pets also improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem.”

Aquariums have been noticed in the offices of many doctors these days. Do you think it’s just a coincidence?  Maybe not.  The stress levels of the patients in the waiting room diminish while they sit watching the swimming fish as they wait. Much better to focus on that than on what terrible diagnosis the doctor may have. Several nursing homes have adopted pets to help their elderly residents experience the benefits of lower blood pressure and reduced stress and depression.

This study shows how pet ownership blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress.  Some pets can be high maintenance causing added stress from the burden of caring for them so be careful when you select a pet.  If you don’t want to invest in actually getting a pet yourself then just think of different ways to get the same benefits.  You can offer to be a pet sitter for your friend from time to time.  You could spend some time with friends that have pets and play with them. If you live close to a pet owner who is your friend you can offer to walk the dog a couple of days a week. If you want to do this your imagination is the limit.  You could also volunteer at an animal shelter on weekends or a couple of days a week, whatever fits your schedule.


I came across a video the other day that shows the relation between pets and stress.  Watch the video below.

If you are unable to view this video, click here - Pets and Stress Reduction - to go to the video page.

Students are experiencing the benefits. Why not you?

Ebook in the works - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide

To your stress reduction,
Jenn
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Sources
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog
http://uhu.islate.si/