Perhaps many are not aware of the benefits of raising animals. Keeping animals is one of the important decisions and requires commitment, because there will be a big responsibility that will come with it.
But did you know that there are many benefits to keeping animals? Including benefits for physical health, mental health, and even benefits for child development.
Quoted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bond between humans and their pets is associated with several health benefits, such as improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.
Not only has a positive impact on health, the benefits of raising animals are also good for mental health. Reporting from HelpGuide, pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Not only that, the benefits of having a pet can also relieve loneliness, encourage exercise and even improve cardiovascular health. Meanwhile, caring for animals can help children grow up to be safer and more active.
pet therapy
Pet therapy builds on a pre-existing human-animal bond. In an article titled “The Benefits of Pets for Human Health,” Sukanya Biswas (2019) reveals that interacting with friendly pets can help with many physical and mental problems.
These physical health benefits of raising animals include reducing blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins which produce a calming effect.
The benefits of having a pet can help reduce pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state.
Many mental health workers will recommend that patients adopt an animal to reap these benefits. Looking at purely psychological reasons, someone who raises an animal feels more secure.
Research shows that simply patting or petting a cat or dog can lower blood pressure and make you feel calmer because it can relieve both physical and emotional stress. Even watching fish swim in an aquarium can relieve muscle tension and help reduce stress. Playing with pets can also increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Both hormones are believed to trigger feelings of pleasure.
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that people recover from stressful situations more quickly when they are with their pets than with a partner or friend.
Keeping Animals Healthy Heart
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase the risk of heart disease. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having a cat or dog can reduce both. In other words, the benefits of raising animals can be healthy for the heart.
Pets are loyal friends
Pets also have affection. They are also receptive to their masters, loyal, honest, and consistent. If you feel alone and don’t have support, a pet can help reduce feelings of loneliness. The benefits of having pets will make you never feel alone.
Most importantly, animals are not like humans who can argue or criticize you. Pets won’t divulge your secrets either, so you can tell your pet anything that’s weighing on your mind without worrying about the secret leaking out.
Physical Touch
Physical touch or physical contact is a form of love language. Some people need physical contact to express love and feelings of being loved. Some people feel better when they have physical contact with other people.
patting or petting a pet can lower your heart rate. The healing power of touch is undeniable. Research shows a 45-minute massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and optimize your immune system by building white blood cells. Hugs flood our bodies with oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Meanwhile, according to a University of Virginia study, holding hands can reduce stress-related activity in the hypothalamus region of the brain, part of our emotional center. Touch can actually stop certain parts of the brain from responding to threats. It’s not surprising, then, that petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and heart rate and increase serotonin and dopamine levels.