Did you know that it’s been proven by many studies that owning a pet can actually improve your mental health?
In a 2021 study undertaken by Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, more than 70% of people who had suffered from mental health issues including depression and anxiety said that having a pet helped to alleviate their condition.
There are many ways our pets enrich our lives – they provide a source of comfort, friendship, and motivation, but just how much could owning a pet improve our mental health?
Some of the benefits of caring for a pet include:
• Increasing exercise: Taking your pet for their daily activity, whether that’s a stroll, run, hike, or playing in the garden are all fun and rewarding ways to implement daily exercise into your routine. When you’re feeling low, these activities might otherwise seem like a chore that you struggle to muster up motivation for, but when you have a pet, it becomes a fun part of your daily routine and something they – and you – begin to look forward to.
• Providing companionship: Companionship can help prevent illness and loneliness. Having a bond with a pet, where you feel safe and comforted can also help to reduce anxiety – and of course, nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail or purring cat!
• Helping you meet new people: Pets can be a great conversation starter for their owners, helping you start and maintain new friendships. When you find someone with a mutual love for animals, there can be an instant bond.
• Creating a routine: All pets require a regular feeding and exercise schedule to allow them to live their happiest and healthiest life. As they rely on you to provide this, it helps add structure and routine to everyday life. No matter your mood -depressed, anxious, or stressed – one look from your pet and you’ll have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for them.
• Providing sensory stress relief: Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. Stroking a dog, cat, or other animal can lower blood pressure and help you quickly feel calmer and less stressed.
If you’re interested in introducing an animal into your life, check out the animals currently waiting for their forever homes here.
If you’re unable to adopt but want to spend time with animals, take a look at our events, or get your colleagues involved in one of our corporate volunteering days.
