Have you ever walked around in a pet park, looked at an incredibly cute Labrador and had an instant urge to hug it?
The minute you pet the dog, you get a rush of endorphins, which makes you feel as happy as you could possibly feel.
Ever wondered why this happens?
Obviously, the dog doesn’t do anything besides letting you hug them, and still, you somehow feel over the moon.
Science has the answers (and the reasons), why and how pets can make you feel happier.
Take a look.
1. The Rush of the ‘Love Hormone’
Love is the reward of love, and that’s what pet owners get on a daily basis. But it’s not just about the relationship between you and your dog, the impact of dog love is deeper than you think.
The study posted in the Frontiers in Psychology journal suggests that having a pet increases oxytocin (also known as the love hormone) and decreases cortisol (stress hormone). Since lower cortisol level has obvious effects on your body, increased oxytocin, in its turn, has the following effects:
- improves memory
- facilitates natural processes in your body (including digestion)
- reduces pain
- improves social instincts
- improves protective instincts
- induces sleep and reduces stress
“Many studies suggest that oxytocin can cure illness and help bring relief to your anxiety’, says Martin Francis, a researcher at Flatfy. Talking about curing illnesses, this supposed effect of oxytocin still needs more research, but anxiety relief is a proven and often-observed effect of increased oxytocin. Thus, the rush of ‘love hormone’, although brief and swift, has long-term positive effects on your brain and body.
2. The Source of Endorphins
While interaction with a pet releases oxytocin and decreases cortisol, doing activities with your pet also impacts on brain chemistry.
All dog owners have to remain active around the year, taking their dogs for a walk (sometimes several times a day), running, jumping, and training their pets.
These activities count for exercise, which releases endorphin (happiness hormone). But endorphin levels highly depend on the intensity of exercise, so do activities with your dog really count?
Medical News Today report that regular release of endorphins is only possible if you exercise regularly. As a dog owner, you have to take your dog out every day, so you maintain high levels of physical activity every day.
Endorphin is a great game-changer, when it comes to both mental and physical health, affecting you in several ways:
- alleviating depression
- reduces fibromyalgia (widespread musculoskeletal pain)
- reduces chronic headaches
- induces the feeling of euphoria, which helps fight anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Endorphin is also crucial for cell regeneration and the improvement of different body functions. And, in combination with increased oxytocin, can you imagine the positive effects these two can have on your body? Amazing!
3. Confidence Boost
Besides the above-mentioned physical and mental health benefits, being a pet owner helps your self-esteem.
This effect has been discovered by Megan K. Mueller from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and described in a study, which united teens and young adults.
The study discovered that among the participants, pet owners showed better results in personal development, had higher self-esteem, and better social skills.
Megan K. Mueller reports that young pet owners ‘had a better connection to their communities and relationships’. She also reports that pet owners show strong leadership qualities and are more empathetic and conscientious.
Bonus: Pets and Coping with Adversity
Taking care of your pet can help you overcome adversity and deal with negative situations.
Pets for Patriots, the organization that brings veterans and rescue pets together, is built on the idea that pets can help war veterans overcome stress and anxiety, and adjust to their new social roles.
Their actions helped them decrease the suicide rate among veterans. Rescue pets have become ‘beacons of hope’ for the veterans, some of whom claim that pets gave them a reason to live. Thus, becoming dog owners helped veterans deal with negativity, adversity, anxiety, and adapt better in society.
Puppy Love Isn’t Just Love
There’s so much more to it. As a dog owner, you get so many body and mind benefits, ultimately contribute to a happier life.
So yes, it’s not just love in reward for love. It’s happiness, positivity, and a healthier and happier life in reward.
by Ryan
Ryan is a passionate writer who likes sharing his thoughts and experience with the readers. Currently, he works as a digital marketing specialist, you can check his website https://flatfy.ro. He likes everything related to traveling and new countries.