5 Ways Pets Help Us Live Longer
Having a pet can be one of the most fulfilling ways to build companionship, make memories, and learn responsibility. But did you know that having a pet can also help people live longer? Studies have shown that pets can increase both longevity and quality of life for their human owners and here are some of the top reasons why.
They Increase the Amount of Physical Activity We Do
If you have a dog as a pet, you’re going to have to take them for a walk (or play with them). Increasing your physical activity thanks to your pet can help boost your cardiovascular health and keep your muscles and bones strong, which can ultimately boost your overall health and increase the length of your life. Try to make sure that you exercise and move around with your pet regularly. It won’t only improve the health of your body, it will also help improve the health of theirs!
They Decrease Loneliness
Loneliness has been shown to be detrimental to a human’s health. If you have a pet, you can increase the feeling of companionship, which then naturally decreases the feeling of loneliness. By reducing the amount of social isolation you experience, you can live longer and have even more fun while you’re doing it!
They Decrease Stress
Stress and the hormones it creates in your body (like cortisol) can have a slew of negative health effects — both on your mental and your physical wellbeing. Studies have shown that having a pet can help decrease stress in humans, which can have an overall health boost. Interacting with your pets in specific ways — like by petting them — can also provide an endorphin boost and lower the stress hormones in your body.
They Reduce the Risk of Allergies
Studies have shown that if babies and children grow up with a pet in their household, they are less likely to develop allergies and other respiratory problems as adults. If you have a pet in your home, you can help ensure that your little one grows up with a reduced risk of suffering from uncomfortable or dangerous conditions like allergies or asthma.
They Improve Blood Pressure
Multiple studies have shown that you don’t even have to get moving with your pet to increase the physical health benefits. Petting an animal has been shown to decrease blood pressure and lower heart rates — which can result in an immediate boost in your cardiovascular health. By having a furry friend around, you can decrease the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, while you also get to feel calm and enjoy the company of a lovable pet.
If you want to live a long, happy life, you may just want to consider getting a pet. Not only do pets help provide companionship and comfort, they also offer a slew of physical and emotional health benefits that can help increase the quality and length of your life. To ensure that your pet lives alongside you for as long as possible, make sure you take him to the vet regularly. Your vet can spot and treat any potentially dangerous health conditions as they arise, and he or she can also provide preventative treatments to help avoid any serious illnesses.
