For 15,000 years, dogs have been man’s faithful companions and through this, they as a species have enjoyed plenty of benefits.
But it’s far from a one-sided affair because starting from our days as hunter-gatherers all the way to today, we definitely have plenty to be thankful for to our canine friends.
This is especially true in this fast-paced modern world we live in where stress is abundant and time is limited. There are many things that demand our attention and while owning a dog does represent a huge commitment, they just might be the key to getting a grip on your life.
So without further ado, here are a few modern-day benefits that show why getting a canine companion is one of the healthier decisions you can make.
Dogs Are Good For Your Mental Health
Numerous research has shown that having a dog greatly reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. This is mainly due to the fact that strong attachments to our pets and the act of touching a loving animal helps elevate the body’s serotonin and dopamine levels, leaving you feeling more happy, calm, and relaxed.
Pets also ease feelings of loneliness by providing valuable companionship, especially for older adults. The unconditional love we receive from pets also adds genuine joy to our lives thus letting us cope with an increasingly distant society.
Dogs Improve Your Social Relationships
Beyond the fact that let you meet fellow dog lovers, having a dog has many other social benefits. One study revealed that dogs help people ease out of shyness or social isolation while also helping them rebound from negativity and rejection.
Dog owners also exhibit higher self-esteem than non-dog owners and appear more attractive to prospective partners as dog owners are often seen as loyal, compassionate, and kind.
Dogs Keep You Active
According to recent studies, people with canine companions are more likely to achieve their physical fitness goals than those without. An example of this would be walking. Dogs not only increase the amount of time spent on walking but also causes an increase pace thus improving not only the quantity but also the quality of the exercise.
Owners are also more likely to stick to their fitness plans as dogs easily get accustomed to their exercise routines and resulting in them hounding their humans for their scheduled walks, no pun intended.
Dogs Add Structure To Your Life
Like humans, dogs have their own body clock which means they require regular feeding, exercise, grooming, and more. And because your fur baby relies on you, it doesn’t matter if you’re feeling happy or sad, you will have to get out of your bed or couch and take care of their needs.
While this might begrudging at first, it will only take a short while to develop a routine that revolves not only around your dog but also everything else in your life from work, household chores, to entertainment.
Dogs Help Prevent Chronic Diseases
Humans are not built to sit in a cubicle and this is obvious from the myriad of chronic ailments that result from a sedentary life. Fortunately, the increased physical activity and reduced stress that come from owning a dog help prevent their development by lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Older people, in particular, have much to gain from dog ownership as it helps boost their cardiovascular health, maintain their physical condition, and speed up recovery from acute illnesses with studies showing that senior dog owners make 30% fewer visits to the doctor. This is, of course, already in addition to the comfort, joy, and companionship that dogs bring to their lives.
