Benefits of Spending Time with Animals
① A pet treatment can solve all sorts of problems, says animal expert Arden Moore. Spending time around animals, like bird-watching, being accompanied by a therapy dog, or playing with a pet spider, can be good to your well-being. "There's something about the animal kingdom that enables us to enjoy life a little better," she says.
② According to Moore, petting your cat or dog makes the animal happy, and it relaxes you as well. It is especially so when you are under some stress. “Give your dog or cat a head-to-tail rub by running hand over hand through the body,” she says. Your touch relaxes the animal. It also releases feel-good hormones in you, and reduces your heart rate.
③ Talking with animals may lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Moore suggests engaging animals in "happy talk," or speaking in a cheerful tone. She says, "Happy talk or laughter around animals releases hormones in humans. Then, your blood pressure will be lowered. And animals will feel better too."
④ Eating beside an animal may improve your eating habits. "In nursing homes, if there's a fish tank where people are eating, seeing those fish actually motivates some residents to eat,” says Moore. The result of recent research supports the view. It shows that the people who ate near their pets improved some of their eating patterns.
⑤ A good relationship with your animal friends may lead to better relations with humans. According to a study at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, observing animals in nature can teach valuable characteristics like patience, and help restore mental energy. Taking care of an animal can also teach responsibility and stimulate feelings of trust, openness, and companionship.