Have you ever felt like the room is spinning? All of your thoughts are out of control and you can’t tell up from down? Stress can impact our lives in a multitude of ways; such as fatigue, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing, dizziness, muscle tension, and much, much more. There are many different ways to combat stress, one way to do this is by spending time with pets. Pets bring lots of happiness into our everyday lives, however most people aren’t aware of the mental health benefits they can bring. 

First off, pets reduce feelings of loneliness. They provide companionship, and caring for an animal will make you feel needed. Taking care of an animal will give you a sense of responsibility which helps distract you from your problems. Along with this, having a pet gives structure to your day. Animals depend on regular feeding and walking times to stay balanced; this can help you feel in control too. Having a consistent schedule will also help reduce anxiety, instead of feeling like your days are disorganized, you’ll have some form of structure for plans to revolve around. Taking your animal companion on walks also increases your physical activity. Being physically active comes with a set of positive benefits itself; it reduces depression, helps anxiety, reduces risk of infections, strengthens muscle, and encourages healthy eating. Furthermore, while on walks you’ll have the chance to meet new people. As you grow older, staying in touch with friends can get harder, so having a pet will help you make new connections and not feel so out of touch. Lastly, it is said that just looking at your pet will help boost your mood. Making eye contact releases a rush of oxytocin, the love hormone, and instantly will make you feel better. 

While there are many benefits to owning a pet, it does come with responsibilities. Owning a pet means time, commitment, and money. Not to mention, figuring out which animal is right for you, your living terms, etc. However, the payoff of all this effort is so worth it when you realize you’ve just made a new best friend for life.