We all know we need to relax more in order to help relieve stress and improve our health. What better way to do it than hanging out with our furry best friends! Meet Miss Kenzie and Marley-Tucker, two of my furry friends that help keep my stress at bay!
Like many of you, I find January to be an exciting month full of new year ambitions and goals. And although working towards goals and our ambitions are important for our well being, they often come with stress. Now that January has come to a close and we welcome in February, I thought it would be a great time to discuss how our pets are great for reducing stress while improving our quality of life!
Dogs and cats make for excellent companions, constantly by our side, watching out for our safety and having the utmost loyalty. Giving us unconditional love, often times when we need it the most! Their companionship helps reduce stress and tension. Studies have shown that when we care for others and feel cared for, our stress levels drop. I know I’m constantly amazed by my Marley-Tucker’s loyal companionship. He is constantly by my side, day in - day out! He interrupts his naps anytime I leave his side, even guarding the doorway to the potty, when I need to use it. I mean what loyalty, to constantly wake up from nap time to sit in front of the bathroom door waiting patiently, asking nothing in return. He was never trained for this, but he made it his job and it always warms my heart! His companionship has definitely reduced my stress!!
Dogs and cats are also great for our hearts! Studies have shown that petting and cuddling with our furry friends lowers our blood pressure and heart rate while increasing endorphins in our bodies. Miss Kenzie, well she loves to cuddle up on my lap in the mornings trying to steel some of my attention before Marley-Tucker sneaks in for his time. (We call Marley our "Attention-Whore, as he is always first in line for those licks and loves.) Gotta love it! And boy, all the attention and love they both give me sure brings my blood pressure levels down a notch and even helps relieve any anxiety or tension I may have with my upcoming daily obligations
Our furry friends also motivate us to get more exercise! They need to be walked and played with regularly, which requires us to get outside more, walk more, engage in exercise as we play with them. Nowadays, I pretty much have a sedentary job spending hours at my desk, on my computer or standing while recipe developing. While my fur babies enjoy their rest time as I tackle my job, they need their breaks too, which requires me to get off my tush and move around. At my age, well for anyone at any age, I know I need to move more! I enjoy getting out for walks with them. It keeps me motivated to get my steps in everyday. If I’m not in the mood, I have no excuse because I must tend to their needs.
Pets also motivate us to adapt a routine, which studies have shown helps boost our emotional well being and keeps us motivated, even boosting our serotonin levels. They help us stay on a schedule whether we are into it or not, and even better, they give us a sense of purpose. They keep us accountable. You know, just like children, our furry friends need to be bathed, fed and cared for regularly. My fur babies help me keep me in check, making me get up on those lazy mornings when I would rather roll over and pull the covers over my head. We all know that getting our bums out of bed on those kinds of days is a good way to keep the blues away! When you’ve got to take care of someone else’s needs, you often get out of your head and stop thinking of yourself.
Pets can actually help improve sleep! Studies have shown this to be true. Elderly people often co sleep with their pets; and many people I know have expressed fond memories of growing up with their furry friends sleeping with them in their beds, making them feel more secure. In the past, our last two dogs were kenneled at night since i was, unfortunately, allergic to them. However, now that we have poodles, I have to admit, that we co sleep with them and it has been such a wonderful experience cuddling up with them at night and waking up in the morning with their endless love, licks and excitement for the new day!
Finally, dogs make for great therapy pets. Studies have shown they are excellent for helping people who suffer from anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress syndrome, Alzheimer’s and even autism.
What better way to celebrate “cupids” month than knowing and enjoying the benefits of love, joy, stress relief and improved health that our furry best friends bring to our lives! I am so grateful to have my fur babies be part of my life. I hope you can enjoy your fur babies even more now, knowing all the good qualities they bring to your life. I Love you, my Marley-Tucker and Miss Kenzie, thank you for being part of mine!
