Owning a dog can really brighten up your day, as our four-legged friends offer us the unconditional love we are all craving for, to a certain extent. However, have you ever thought about all the health benefits of being a dog owner? Here are five strong advantages of owning a pet that will certainly make you want to get yourself a pooch in the near future!
1. You Will Walk (And Jog!) A Lot More Than Before
Few cardiovascular exercises are as good as walking and jogging, both of which are known to train all your muscle groups – and whether you like it or not, having a dog requires you to take your four-legged pet out at least twice a day, which means that you will get some exercise, too! There is no better and more entertaining way to stay fit than running with your dog or throwing the frisbee!
2. You Will Be Less Stressed
Stress is all around us nowadays, and it is actually considered to be one of the most dangerous conditions of the 21st century, right after obesity. Stress is the silent killer, and we tend to ignore the signs and symptoms of stress until it is usually too late – fortunately, having a dog can be very relaxing, as a pet can really help you relieve all the pressure that has been accumulating inside you.
3. You Will Get A Stronger Immune System
Having a dog means that you are constantly exposed to pet dander and all the other allergens that people usually react to – although allergies are anything but pleasant, they can actually help you fortify your immune system which, in turn, will lower your risk of developing eczema or other allergies to animal dander and hair over the years.
4. Great Companionship!
There is nothing more wonderful than raising a dog and seeing just how accurately it reflects your character and your personality. Dogs resemble their owners to a much greater extent than you might think, and it is entirely up to us to make the best of our dogs’ potential and to help them become as friendly and outgoing as possible.
5. Your Dog Will Make You Happier!
Some people are genetically predisposed to depression, although it is true that we all have moments when we feel blue. Playing with your dog for 15 minutes a day can have an outstanding effect on your health, as it will not only make you feel less stressed, but it will also stimulate the serotonin levels in the brain – dogs will really make you happier by warding off depression and anxiety. Besides increasing your serotonin levels, playing with your pet will also boost the Oxytocin, another hormone that has similar effects to those of serotonin and dopamine.
Overall, having a dog can actually elevate your mood even if you are suffering from chronic depression, which usually requires medication – however, this does not mean that in addition to the prescription drugs, you cannot “take a natural treatment” to go with it as well, and dogs are the living proof that you can feel better without even trying.