Add a Pet to Your List of Health Supports
By Tom Herrin
When we were children, the chances are that many of us had some kind of pet. At our home, we had everything from dogs to lambs to goats with a few rabbits added in. My brother had a monkey that lived in a closet at night. While all of this may have been just plain fun, it is believed that having a pet is something that can actually boost our health. There are lots of service animals around today, and they do all sorts of things. Pets may be able to help us in some other ways as well.
Pets May Be Good Chemists
Even though pets may not be conscious of the way they can affect our chemistry, they may have a pretty big impact. It is believed that having frequent contact with a pet may help to reduce cortisol. That is sometimes called the stress hormone. It may be designed to help protect us, but it can be harmful when we have too much. Another important hormone is oxytocin. It is one that can make us feel good. Apparently having a pet can help to increase levels of this.
A Pet May Be Better than a Treadmill
Most pets enjoy getting out of the same old place. Just like people, they like to be out and about. As a result, we may walk them on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, they need exercise. When we go for a walk with them, we may be doing ourselves a favor at the same time. Walking with a pet can give us a little more purpose for our exercise, and it is always easier when we have that. Walking each day with a pet can be a good formula for us to have some regular exercise.
The Companion That Always Agrees
Being alone for a lot of time can be tough. Even if we prefer to be that way, we still need some kinds of outlets. With a pet, we will have something to be responsible for. We will also have someone we can talk to that will never offer any discouraging words. Having someone greet us who is always happy to see us is a big plus. All of these things can lift our spirits and help us to be healthier, and that is a good thing for any of us.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Myers, Fla.