The current pandemic has us all worrying about our health. But did you know that having a dog in your family can do wonders for it?
1. They make our hearts healthier
Dog owners have repeatedly been found to have lower resting heart rates, along with lower blood pressure. What’s more is we’re more likely to survive a heart attack!
2. They make our hearts bigger
People who own dogs are more empathetic, and can read emotions in others more easily. This goes predominantly for children, but has been found to be true for adults too.
3. They reduce our stress levels
An act as tiny as even looking at your dog triggers the release of oxytocin in the brain, which can make us feel calmer and more peaceful. They’ve also been linked to a lower risk of developing depression.
4. They improve our immune systems Dog-owners have been found to get sick less often and not as severely as non-dog-owners. For example, dog-owners over the age of 65 make 30% fewer visits to their GP than the rest of the population. Having a dog in the house also reduces the risk of any children developing health issues, such as asthma and eczema.
5. They improve our pain tolerance A study in 2019 found that whilst owning a dog makes us more empathic, this also makes us more resilient to any physical pain we experience. We also feel this pain a lot less!
6. They make us happier Playing with our dog releases dopamine and serotonin, which are also known as ‘the happy hormones’. They also encourage us to exercise more, which is connected with better mental health.
So, next time you look at your dog, don’t just think about how much you love them, but how they improve your life in every aspect!
How has your dog made your life better? Let us know down below!
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