Buying a pet for yourself may be the healthiest thing you have done all year long. Pets are known to be great companions and ideal "little buddies" in our daily lives, but research shows that they too can help enhance our bodies and minds due to their companionship. Lowered anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure and stable heart rate are three health benefits that pets can give their owners, aside from the more obvious benefits like companionship, and providing their owners a diversion during lazy days and unconditional love and good behavior for the most part. If loved by their owners, pets will respond accordingly to the affection and care lavished upon them.
Pets can improve the lives of their owners, may they be young adults, children or parents, but they can also be great for the older set in helping them live longer. According to studies, pets can help elderly people enjoy their lives and stay healthy, allowing them to live longer as well. According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in an article published May 1999, seniors living without human companionship but with at least one pet tend to be stronger in body and mind as compared to other independent seniors who do not own any pets. These seniors are happier in disposition, more active and hold up better against day-to-day stress.
At first, having a pet to take care of sounds like a chore. However, when a pet owner takes the time out to actually take care of his or her pet, including the usual maintenance, feeding, bathing and walking, these activities lead to a reduction in anxiety, tension and blood pressure, a reduction in heart rate and the proper release of beta-endorphins in one's body. The simple acts of changing a cat's water or opening the doghouse door for the dog to be let in or out are ways of exercising one's joints and increasing flexibility, as well as serving as a good cardiovascular workout. It may not be a real workout, but it helps pet owners stay healthy.
Of course, a lot of a pet's benefits cannot be seen by the naked eye. As stated, pets offer unconditional love and obedience to their owners, and provide physical contact and constant companionship. For elderly people, homeless or those who simply prefer living alone, pets can be a great support system. When faced with a tough emotional situation, pet owners can turn to their pets for additional support. On top of protecting owners from danger, pets offer social protection, particularly to those in old folks' homes or those with little to no friends or family to turn to in need.
Pets are great in helping the elderly continue with their daily routines and providing comfort in their lives - old folks can wake up in the morning, leave their homes, go grocery shopping or interact with friends with more ease if they are taking care of a pet or pets. Medical conditions such as depression and anxiety can easily be eliminated with the help of a pet.
Pets can improve the lives of their owners, may they be young adults, children or parents, but they can also be great for the older set in helping them live longer. According to studies, pets can help elderly people enjoy their lives and stay healthy, allowing them to live longer as well. According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in an article published May 1999, seniors living without human companionship but with at least one pet tend to be stronger in body and mind as compared to other independent seniors who do not own any pets. These seniors are happier in disposition, more active and hold up better against day-to-day stress.
At first, having a pet to take care of sounds like a chore. However, when a pet owner takes the time out to actually take care of his or her pet, including the usual maintenance, feeding, bathing and walking, these activities lead to a reduction in anxiety, tension and blood pressure, a reduction in heart rate and the proper release of beta-endorphins in one's body. The simple acts of changing a cat's water or opening the doghouse door for the dog to be let in or out are ways of exercising one's joints and increasing flexibility, as well as serving as a good cardiovascular workout. It may not be a real workout, but it helps pet owners stay healthy.
Of course, a lot of a pet's benefits cannot be seen by the naked eye. As stated, pets offer unconditional love and obedience to their owners, and provide physical contact and constant companionship. For elderly people, homeless or those who simply prefer living alone, pets can be a great support system. When faced with a tough emotional situation, pet owners can turn to their pets for additional support. On top of protecting owners from danger, pets offer social protection, particularly to those in old folks' homes or those with little to no friends or family to turn to in need.
Pets are great in helping the elderly continue with their daily routines and providing comfort in their lives - old folks can wake up in the morning, leave their homes, go grocery shopping or interact with friends with more ease if they are taking care of a pet or pets. Medical conditions such as depression and anxiety can easily be eliminated with the help of a pet.
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