Loving our pets for better mental and physical health!
This past year has been especially difficult for many people throughout our country and all over the world. With the persistence of social distancing regulations and the consequent social isolation that goes along with them, feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety are growing at alarming rates. The CDC reported on a nationwide survey from June that 40.9% of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition related to the Covid-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. These respondents also reported starting or increasing substance use to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. While the nation as a whole is still struggling to combat the pandemic and its effects, it is important to find little ways to keep ourselves healthy both mentally and physically.
My personal way of finding peace and a clear mind has always come from spending time with animals. Whether I am bringing the dogs out to the beach to enjoy a hot summer day or cuddling on the couch with the cats; those little fur balls have a way of calming me down and helping me to feel connected and stress free. Time spent with the horses out at the barn is never wasted time, and if I ever find myself in a less than positive state of mind, I am able to decompress and relax while getting some distance from the busy world around me. For that reason, I always thought that horses had an incredible capability to heal and connect with us humans in a powerful way. While I have known for years that this is MY way to relax and practice self-care, I recently found an article from Psychology Today that suggests there are actually many health benefits of owning and interacting with our pets!
Animals have a unique ability to help people feel less alone in times of isolation and give their owners a sense of purpose. Connecting with our animals on a daily basis has been proven to benefit humans both physically and mentally by decreasing blood pressure, slowing heart rate and regulating stress hormones. The Journal of Behavioral Medicine has published a study that attributes these benefits to the non-judgmental nature of animals such as dogs and their ability to create a calming effect on their human counterpart.
A study published by the Journal of Analytical Psychology found that equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) had a significant effect on reducing anxiety, depression symptoms, and trauma-related distress in participants with post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study correlated these findings to an increase in mindfulness of participants after their equine-assisted therapy sessions. Because mindfulness is a key component in interacting with large animals such as horses, it provides the perfect opportunity to for practicing such a skill.
Some studies have even found that children on the Autism Spectrum have had improvements in social functioning after consistent interactions with guinea pigs. A study published by the Journal of Communication Disorders found that adolescents on the Autism Spectrum who take on responsibilities related to pet ownership resulted in less depressive symptoms and improved relationships among peers. This may be due to the calming and non-judgmental interactions provided by our furry friends. Self-esteem is also boosted when we spend time with our beloved pets!
There are many ways to take time for yourself and ensure that you are doing what it takes to stay connected and strong in this time of social distancing. While keeping a horse in your apartment or backyard may not be a very realistic option, these benefits could be applicable to pets of all shapes and sizes! So, the next time you take time out of your day to snuggle or play with your own four-legged friend, remember that it is not just for them, but also for your own mental and physical wellbeing.
And now, it’s time for me to snuggle my cat!
-Haley