Happy National Puppy Day – How Your Pup is Keeping You Happy

They are man’s best friend for a reason. Aside from being great for protection, they’re also incredible BFFs, playmates, and naptime friends. But did you know, dogs actually add a lot of value to our lives in the form of stress reduction as well? And with today being National Puppy Day, well, we had to stop and celebrate our favorite little pals. 

Petting a Dog (or Cat!) Reduces Stress

Chronic stress can have significant consequences, but a pet can help reduce these feelings. Yeah,  I know it sounds nuts. But numerous studies have shown that petting a dog for just ten minutes can significantly reduce cortisol levels (stress hormones) in your body. 

Pets Actually Help Keep Your Heart Healthy

Along with studies revealing that dogs and cats lower our stress levels, these same studies suggest that because of the decrease in cortisol, many pet owners also have lower blood pressure. It would appear that just by living with a dog, let alone petting one for ten minutes a day, there are health benefits.  

Pets Keep You Company, Staving off Loneliness

In the United States, loneliness has become an epidemic — especially as we’ve all been quarantined in our homes for so long. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one-in-four adults live alone. Additionally, they found that loneliness is as damaging to your health “as smoking 15 cigarettes a day”, increasing your risk for heart disease and even stroke. 

Having a dog has been proven to decrease a feeling of loneliness, with an overwhelming 85 percent of respondents in the American Kennel Club survey believing that it actively decreases loneliness and social isolation.

Dogs Help You Recover From Trauma

Researchers at Purdue University discovered that many veterans suffering from the symptoms of PTSD recover faster physically and mentally when they have a service dog by their side. And this doesn’t just help veterans; this helps anyone suffering from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder recover faster and better.

You’ll Get Your Steps In!

Having a dog encourages us to go on walks, run around, and generally keep moving. This is extremely important, especially for those of us at desk jobs all day. One recent study found that “dog owners are nearly four times more likely than non-dog owners to meet daily physical activity guidelines.” That’s so awesome. 

 

So, on this National Puppy Day, celebrate your pupper, take them on a longer walk, play with them a little harder. They deserve it (and so do you!).