Many people swear by pets for improving their quality of life. And that’s by and large true! So much research has gone into whether or not pets can help you have a healthy life and the science agrees that pets have a hugely positive impact on your life. Not only are you going to be healthier physically with a pet, you are also going to get a boost in your mental health with your pup or kitty by your side.
We’re going to go through some of the top reasons why you should adopt a pet for a healthy life down below. Make sure that you put adoption at the top of your list, instead of buying your next pet! There are so many reasons why adoption is so much better than every other option, not the least of which is because there are plenty of animal ready for adoption at your local humane society.
1. You’ll Get Outside More
When you have a pet, especially when that pet is a dog, you’re going to be spending a lot more time outside. You are going to be spending time in that sunshine, which gives your body a boost of Vitamin D and other healthy nutrients. Without this time outside, you would be a lot less healthy than you will be with your pet.
2. Pets Get You Moving More Often Than You Would Otherwise
Going along that same logic of getting outside more, with a pet you’re going to be spending a lot more time moving than you would otherwise. This means that you’ll be burning calories and keeping fit, just from playing with your dog in the yard or walking them down the sidewalk! And how great is it that you’ll get to do that while spending quality time with that little fur ball?
3. They Build Your Immunity for Allergies
It’s actually been shown that those children who grow up in homes with plenty of furry friends running around have been shown to be less likely to develop common allergies than those who didn’t. If you have children and you don’t want them to come down with hay fever or other allergies, then it might be a good idea to go ahead and get a dog or cat for them to play with. This also relates to asthma!
4. Petting Your Pets Reduces Stress
It’s actually been shown that when you spend a lot of time petting your pets beside of you, this reduces the stress levels of your brain. This is because contact with your furry pets floods your mind with positive endorphins, similar to when you exercise or when you hug someone else. So, pet away!
5. They Keep You Present and Distract You at The Same Time
When you have a pet, you are going to be distracted from the worries of your life by their cuteness and lovability. At the same time, they are going to keep you present in what’s happening right now. You are going to cherish those moments that you spend with your pet because they are so important to your overall health and wellness. And this isn’t going to cost you much if you adhere to some smart ways to take care of your pets!
6. You Won’t Be So Lonely with Them in Your Life
Of course, one of the top reasons why having a pet is super healthy for you is the fact that you’re not going to be as lonely with them in your life. When you have a pet, this is like having another person in your life, who keeps you inspired and loves you unconditionally. When you come home after a long day at work and you’re feeling a bit lonely without friends, then your pet is going to be there for you!
7. Pets Are Great Listeners
Have you ever just ranted to your dog or your cat and hoped for some kind of response? Of course not! You just use that ranting space because your pet is a great listener. He or she will take whatever is worrying you and give you that space to get things off of your chest that you could never talk to anyone else about. Even if they’re not going to respond to you, this is a great therapy for anything that is stressing you out.
8. They Will Love You Unconditionally
As mentioned above, one of the best reasons why you’re going to have a pet in your life is that they will love you unconditionally. That love is seriously great for your health because it’s always good to have someone in your life who will be there for you no matter what. If none of your human friends are like that, then why not have a pet be that for you?
9. You Won’t Feel So Isolated with Them
A lot of the times, you might feel isolated when spending a lot of time at home and not interacting with other people. However, when you have a dog or a cat, this provides the perfect opportunity for you to get out and lessen your isolation by interacting with other people. You can go to dog parks to let your dog hang out with other dogs. Or you can even take your cat out on a leash for him or her to roam around.
10. They Give You a Purpose
When you’re feeling down with negative thoughts, you might feel as if you have no purpose in life. This is something that everyone feels in their life at one point or another. Then people usually turn to internet, where they find others doing great in their lives, which makes one depressed. Pets help you get over the harmful effects of internet and feel elevated. When you have a pet in your life that you have to care for, this can give you a bigger purpose in life that you didn’t have before. You have to spend time caring for your little fur ball because he or she doesn’t have anyone else but you.
And there you have it! When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, having a pet is a crucial part of that, along with a good diet and lifestyle. What kind of pet are you going to get?
