How Having A Dog Makes You Healthier

There are many ways in which dogs positively affect your health and general well-being. This is a scientific fact that has been supported by experts again and again. If you think raising a dog is only about companionship, you may be surprised to learn that your pup is doing more for you than just being your friend. Having A Dog Makes You Healthier!

You may be a bit skeptical about the above-mentioned statements, so let me address your doubts. Listed below are a few of the many ways raising a canine improves a human’s health.

1. Having a dog gives you a reason to stay active.

All dogs require consistent exercise. This is most true of the larger breeds like herding dogs such as shepherds and collies. For them to be in tiptop shape at all times, they must be taken for regular walks and playtime.

No matter how lethargic you are feeling, you can’t neglect to take your dog out for a walk – either for exercise or pooping purposes. In turn, you also get your much-needed exercise which lowers your chances of developing diabetes or becoming obese and it also helps to relieve stress. Yes, you get to stay fit alongside your pup. Getting 20 minutes a day of sunshine can help you maintain an adequate vitamin D level which is crucial for a healthy life.

2. Having a dog lowers your risk of blood pressure and heart disease.

It has been scientifically proven that the presence of an adorable and cuddly dog is enough to lower a dog lover’s blood pressure and cholesterol level. This means minimized risk of contracting lifestyle diseases such as heart failure or high blood pressure. As to how dogs do this, you can just chalk it up to their good, old cuteness.

Man and dog made healthier by cuddling.

3. Having a dog can help you deal with PTSD.

PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. People who suffer from this ailment are those who have gone through a stressful event. For instance, many war veterans suffering from PTSD have been prescribed a therapy dog by their psychologists.

Therapy dogs help their humans deal with daily social interactions and other essential activities.

Therapy dogs make your life healthier and better.

4. Having a dog makes you more social.

If you identify as an introvert, you must know how difficult it is to make new friends or to just calmly exist in social situations. If you are a dog owner, however, your social awkwardness can be dealt with through the help of your canine friend. Dogs are good at prompting social interactions.

Whenever you take your pup out for a walk and they become the object of a stranger’s admiration, you can use these interactions to practice your social skills. You will have more conversations with strangers when walking with a dog than when walking alone. Eventually, some of these strangers may become friends.

In due time, your social anxiety will be greatly alleviated.

5. Having a dog helps depressed people heal.

Yes, having a dog running around in your apartment is a reliable mood booster. Most dog owners already know this to be a true fact. This is why people suffering from chronic depression are sometimes advised to take a pet into their home. Interacting with a dog releases Oxytocin which is known as the “Love Hormone”. It has been proven to promote a positive mood in humans.

Raising a pet – specifically a dog – gives a person a sense of purpose. Also, the endless supply of love and loyalty that dogs are ready and able to shower their humans with should be enough to perk up almost any suffering soul.

Having A Dog Makes You Healthier

These are just five of the many benefits of raising a dog. If these are not enough to convince you to take one home, consider this – they can also become your ticket to Instagram stardom.

Have you noticed that your life is better in any way because of raising a dog? Could you add another way in which Having A Dog Makes You Healthier? If so, please share it with the rest of us in the comment box below.

Photos courtesy of my photo album and Pixabay