A Pet Can Be a Healthy Addition to the Home
By Tom Herrin
There is a pretty good chance that you had some kind of pet when you were young. At least, if you have lived in this area very long, they have been a sort of standard. When I was young, they were all over the place, and we always had dogs. I can't even remember never having just one. We may have had as many as six or eight at a time. They all had unique personalities, too. We had one that we could send to round up the others and bring them back if they got out. It seems that having a pet may be more than a pastime. They may help to support better health as well.
Hormones May Be Good or Bad
We all rely on hormones for managing our health in some way. Cortisol is one that increases when we are under stress. If we have too much, it can be harmful to us. It is believed that having a pet may help to lower the levels of cortisol in the body. A good hormone is oxytocin. It makes us feel good. There is indication that this hormone may be increased by interacting with a pet on a regular basis.
Take a Good Walk
While many of us are not really into getting out and exercising regularly, we may be willing to walk a pet. For the most part, it will probably be a dog, though I have seen someone walking a monkey in a local park. They had it on a long leash that allowed it to climb. But with dogs, we can walk almost anywhere. They are usually ready and willing to walk as long and far as you will allow them. Once you get out there, you may find that it is pretty enjoyable. This may serve as more motivation for you.
Pets Are Usually Friendly
There is nothing to compare to coming home to a pet. They will almost always greet you as they seem happy to see you. They never argue with you either, and they give you someone to be responsible for. If you don't have a pet now, you may want to think about it, especially if you tend to be a couch potato. But a pet can be much more than that. They can provide true companionship that can last, and we all need that for better overall health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Plano, Tex.