Dog lovers will tell you there’s nothing more comforting than a wagging tail at the end of a long, hard day. But is there truth to the idea that dogs can help mental health? Whether you’re coping with a mental health crisis like drug or alcohol addiction or simply trying to manage everyday stress, here are four ways that dogs can support your goals:
Dogs Ease Depression and Anxiety
Have you ever had a dog lay its head on your lap when you’re feeling down? It wasn’t just coincidence; dogs are incredibly attuned to human body language and are great at providing comfort in times of need. According to TIME, dogs “calm stress, fear and anxiety in young children, the elderly and everyone in between.” While science isn’t quite sure how it works, researchers have noticed that when humans spend time with dogs, they experience a boost in oxytocin. Commonly known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is known to promote relaxation, lower the heat rate, and relieve stress and anxiety. The best part? Dogs’ oxytocin levels increase too, which means your pet gets just as much out of the interaction as you do.
Dogs Encourage Physical Activity
Physical activity is a powerful tool for mental health. Exercise is known to reduce stress, improve moods, increase energy, and promote self-esteem. Unfortunately, most people don’t get nearly enough. As the CDC reports, 78.3 percent of Americans don’t meet the recommended amount of physical activity.
On average, dog owners are more active than their pet-less peers. Dog owners walk 22 minutes more every day than people without dogs. Not only that, but they move at a faster pace, leading to a more vigorous aerobic workout. While active people may be more likely to adopt a dog in the first place, a dog waiting by the door is great motivation to forget your excuses and start moving.
Dogs Create Routine
When you’re experiencing depression or another mental health crisis, it’s tempting to stay in bed all day. However, that’s rarely the best thing for you. Getting up and being productive is more likely to improve your mood, but it’s easier said than done. When you have a dog, however, you have no choice but to get out of bed to feed your pet and let him outside. Once you’re up and moving, it’s much easier to follow through with other routines that support good mental health.
Dogs Promote Social Connection
Life’s burdens are a lot to carry alone. But if you’re not surrounded by a supportive community, you may not have anywhere to turn when things get hard. Owning a dog can help you overcome that hurdle. Pet owners are 60 percent more likely than non-pet owners to get to know their neighbors. Not only are dog owners more likely to be out and about walking their pets, but a cute pup also serves as an excellent ice-breaker.
Dogs don’t just help you meet people, they also deepen your connections with others. As the Greater Good Magazine from the University of California, Berkeley, reports, the presence of dogs serves as a social lubricant, deepening the sense of trust, closeness, and cooperation among groups of people. If you don’t own a dog yourself, consider becoming a dog walker to reap these social benefits.
Dogs aren’t a substitute for professional mental health treatment. But while they can’t cure your anxiety, depression, addiction, or other mental illness, they can alleviate your symptoms and make daily life more pleasant. If you’ve been considering adding a dog to your family, why not take the plunge and see if your mental health benefits?
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