You may be exercising out of habit, or perhaps you’re avoiding it because it has become so habitual. Regardless, the joy of working out has faded. It doesn’t have to be like this. Let’s revive the excitement of exercise (MEGA)—hats not included.
Will and his dog, Rosie, are glued to each other. Wherever he goes, she follows without exception. If she can’t join him, he chooses not to participate. She isn’t spoiled, nor is he a recluse. “Rosie understands me. She’s more than just a pet; she’s my silent friend, always by my side,” he shares. Will enjoys conversing with others, but it’s Rosie who truly completes his life.
What’s the secret?
Think of the sensation of holding a puppy or feeling your dog lean against you as you stroke her back; or the comfort of having your cat nestled in your lap. Anyone who has experienced petting a dog or cat knows the “magic” it brings.
“Pets enhance our well-being because they keep us grounded, appealing to our senses (minus taste),” explains Catherine Cloutier, a registered clinical counselor based in Kamloops, BC. She often has her dog, Sunshine, accompany her during therapy sessions. People’s past and future are frequently filled with emotion and stress, Cloutier notes. “Being present is where the real peace lies, and pets help us stay in the moment as we engage with them through sight and touch,” she adds.
A 2017 study examined the biochemistry responsible for this uplifting feeling during petting. It found that both humans and dogs experienced a surge in oxytocin levels—the hormone linked to nurturing behaviors, triggering bonding between mothers and babies, as well as between partners.
Further research has shown that dog ownership offers significant health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease in single-person households and lower mortality rates overall. Another study found that owning a dog encourages outdoor activities. In other words, dogs enhance our mood and inspire us to get outside, ultimately boosting our health and happiness.
Facebook or Fido?
The relationship we have with social media is a complex one. Staying connected often comes at a personal cost, impacting our emotional well-being. We find ourselves comparing lifestyles, meals, vacations, and even our pets’ antics online, which can negatively affect our self-esteem.
This is one reason why many people are turning away from social media in favor of companionship with their pets, whether by walking their dog or relaxing on the couch with a cat and a good book. While social media can influence mood, heighten anxiety, and even lead to depression, the bonds we create with our pets come with far fewer risks.
“Pets provide nonjudgmental, unconditional love,” Cloutier notes, but she emphasizes the importance of human interaction. We naturally yearn for human connections, she explains, but not through digital devices. A healthy balance that includes humans, complemented by our pets, enriches our lives. “Pets help ground us,” Cloutier states, “but we also need in-person connections with other people; without it, we suffer.”
Are they really like our children?
It’s common to hear people refer to themselves as “dog parents” rather than “dog owners,” and you might even hear someone ask how old your “fur baby” is while at the dog park. Do we perceive dogs similarly to how we view our own children?
A small study sought to explore this: it found that the amygdala, a key emotional processing center in the brain, activated in participants while looking at their infants or dogs. Other areas associated with bonding were only engaged when mothers viewed pictures of their babies. Although the emotional connection is strong for both, undeniably, mothers tend to reserve a unique bond for their children.
However, it is understandable that we anthropomorphize our pets. Our emotional lens allows us to interpret their behavior as human-like, strengthening the bond we forge with them. A meaningful relationship that, as Will happily notes, “completes us in a distinctive way.”
Having a pet means …
- unconditional love
- nonjudgmental companionship
- reduction in stress and anxiety
- lower likelihood of depression
- improved cardiovascular health
- immediate emotional comfort
