Dog Days May Be Healthy Days
By Tom Herrin
A lot of the time, when we make some kind of a reference to a saying, we mean to emphasize something that is associated with it. "Dog days of summer" are often seen as those that are sweltering hot. Dogs should not always be associated with bad things, however, as having pets is not all bad. While many of us may have had pets when we were younger, we may have gotten away from it and forgotten just how much pleasure they brought us. There is some evidence that having a pet may help support better health for us, so it may be worth looking into.
A Pet May Help Hormones
We rely on hormones to do a lot of things regarding our health and wellbeing. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in the body to help us to protect ourselves. It is a fight-or-flight hormone. It helps us react accordingly when we are put under stress. It is unfortunate that many of us tend to be stressed over other things and cortisol is released. It is believed that having a pet may help to reduce the levels of cortisol released. Another important hormone is oxytocin. It makes us feel good. There is some indication that interacting with a pet may help to increase the amount of this hormone that is released.
Walks Are Good for All of Us
Most of the time, when we have a pet, we need to allow them to get some kind of exercise. This is usually by going for walks. While walking our pet, we will do some mild exercise as well. The more we do so, the more we may enjoy it. It may become a motivator for us to get out more and take longer walks. Before long, we may find ourselves exploring the outdoors for pleasure or even jogging with a pet as they run along.
We All Can Benefit From a Companion
Even those of us who prefer being alone can still gain something from being around a pet. For those in that situation by choice, having a pet can provide someone to talk to who doesn't make any comments in return. They are pretty much always happy to see you and will alert you of possible intruders. Having a pet also provides an opportunity to be responsible for someone else, and that it always a good thing for our personal development.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Redlands, Calif.