Pet Owners Have Less Stress in Their Lives

When you come home from work, do you walk in the door and get greeted by a wagging tail or a cat sidling up beside you waiting to be pet by you? If so, you’re one of the lucky ones – your stress probably isn’t nearly as bad as it could be if you didn’t have an animal to show love and affection to on a daily basis.

Research has been conducted for decades about pets and their stress relieving benefits. It’s been proven that animals help diffuse your anger. All you have to do is pet them, or even watch them if the type of pet you have isn’t the kind you actually pet, like a bird or a fish.

People who have pets tend to have lower blood pressure, suffer fewer heart attacks, and live longer after being diagnosed with medical problems than those with no pet companionship to help them get rid of stress.

You might notice that many doctors' offices now have large aquariums in their waiting rooms. That’s because the stress of their patients is diminished when they’re focusing on the tranquil scene of swimming fish rather than wondering if the spot on their face is skin cancer or if their doctor will diagnose them with heart disease.

Researchers have found that pet therapy mimics the stress-busting relief that someone has when they undergo hypnosis to help achieve a calmer outlook on life. Many nursing homes are now adopting pets to help the elderly lower their blood pressure and steer clear of stress and depression.

You may have to find a pet that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance if you don’t want the added stress of having to care for an animal. Some pets require constant attention and cost more money, which can add a burden to your life.

If getting a pet is not an option for you at all, then you can still achieve the same benefits using animals to help you stave off stress – you have to find a different way! If your friends are looking for a pet sitter, offer your services.

Spending a few minutes to check in on a pet, take it for a walk, and play with it can help deter you from focusing on other troubles. Or, contact your local animal shelter and volunteer to help care for the pets on a regular basis.

You might do it daily, just on weekends – or only a couple of times a months. Any interaction you have with pets can help you alleviate stress that gets built up in your system and is hard to release.