Imagine it would be great to have a happy “four-legged” friend greet us at the door and give a big smile every now and then when we get home from a stressful day at work Way to relieve fatigue.
It’s true that owning a pet is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest joys, and they provide us with “company” and “smile”. However, the benefits of pet ownership don’t stop there.
A growing body of research has shown that pet ownership has enormous benefits for our physical and mental health, both in terms of specific benefits Which ones, let’s take a look.
Reduce asthma prevalence
A set of data on childhood asthma——In the United States, more than 6.8 million children have asthma, That’s 9.3 percent of the total — kids with asthma often complain of chest pains or can’t breathe, and early research suggests that growing up on a farm reduces a child’s risk of developing asthma by about half. In their analysis, the team used registry data to obtain information on dogs and farm animals, as well as information on asthma medication and diagnosis among preschool/school-aged children.
Of these children, 5% of preschool-aged children had an asthma event, and 28,511 cases of asthma were observed during follow-up . Meanwhile, in the group of school-aged children, 4.2% had asthma by age 7. The comparison showed that in the children’s first year of school, the dog-owning sample had a 13 percent lower risk of asthma. Additionally, school-age children exposed to livestock had a 52% lower risk of asthma and preschoolers had a 31% lower risk of asthma. Children living on farms and children with dogs are often exposed to “increased numbers and diversity of microbes and endotoxins,” which “has the potential to reduce the risk of asthma and the burden of infectious diseases,” the researchers explained. ”.
Then, a new study published in the journal Microbiome found that children exposed to domestic pets before birth and within 3 months of life were able to significantly alter their gut bacteria and, accordingly, Allergy symptoms in children are also reduced. The results of such studies support the “hygiene hypothesis”. The hypothesis posits that greater exposure to pathogens and potential allergens early in life can boost the immune system, potentially increasing tolerance to allergic reactions later in life.
Heart Health
Non-communicable chronic diseases account for more than 70% of deaths. The single biggest killer of these is cardiovascular disease, which is disease related to the heart and arteries. 1 in 3 people die from cardiovascular-related diseases. We know that a good lifestyle, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, is critical to reducing risk factors for heart disease. But did everyone know that pets can also protect heart health?
A 2013 scientific statement by the American Heart Association concluded that pet ownership, especially dogs, can reduce the risk of Risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that having a pet can help improve fitness levels, reduce stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improve overall well-being and well-being. At the same time, pets also bring psychological support, which is an important factor in maintaining healthy routines.
Dog walkers exercised an average of 30 minutes more per day than non-dog walkers. The finding may be partly due to co-author Glenn • Levine of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. to the increase in exercise. Studies have shown that regular dog owners are more likely to meet the standards of physical activity than the general population (54% more likely). In addition, studies have shown that pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and significantly lower rates of obesity, all of which benefit their heart health.
Reduce anxiety and stress
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) A 2015 study found that children who had pet dogs at home were significantly less likely to test positive for anxiety screening. Another previously published study found that children with pets had lower levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol when interacting with “peers” compared to children who didn’t have a dog to play with.
“Children who interacted positively with dogs had lower cortisol levels than other children,” explained the study leader at the University of Florida’s Gainesville College of Arts and Sciences. ” Meanwhile, the phenomenon of pet stress relief is not limited to dogs. Research published in 2014 found that riding and caring for horses also helped lower cortisol levels and reduce stress in teens.
Improving mental health
It is estimated that mental illness affects one in five adults in the United States each year, with depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis Schizophrenia is the most common disease. According to the study data, there were no differences in BMI (Body Mass Index), screening time or physical activity between children with and without a pet dog. But 12 percent of the 58 percent of kids with dogs at home tested positive for anxiety, compared with 21 percent of kids without pet dogs.
While pet ownership does not cure mental illness, it can help. The study found that 60% of pet owners diagnosed with a serious mental illness felt that pets were “important” to manage their symptoms. At the same time, participants with pets showed a greater sense of control, security, and routine. Research has shown that pets can also help reduce depression, so much so that many organizations recognize animal-assisted therapy as an effective treatment for depression and other psychiatric disorders.
The researchers suggest: “Interaction with a friendly dog also reduces cortisol levels, likely through the release of oxytocin, which reduces the physiological response to stress. These hormonal effects may underlie the emotional and behavioral benefits observed in animal-assisted therapy and dogs. ”
Strengthening relationships and social skills
Most pet owners Have a special bond with their furry friends. In fact, statistics show that over 66% of dog owners and 56% of cat owners consider their pets to be family members. According to recent research, this relationship with pets may also have beneficial effects on our other relationships. For example, a recently published study found that pet owners had better relationships with their lovers than non-pet owners.
Taking care of pets can also improve their social skills. A 2014 study published in the journal Applied Developmental Science found that those who devoted more time to the care of animals tended to be more engaged in community activities and were more likely to take a leadership role. What’s more, the study found that adults with greater exposure to pets during adolescence showed greater empathy and confidence in adulthood.
For children with autism, research suggests having a house pet may be beneficial. A study published in 2015 by researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia found that children with autism displayed greater self-confidence when they lived with dogs. “What’s more, the data showed that children with any pets at home were more likely to take the initiative to introduce themselves, ask for information, or answer questions from others,” the researchers explained. Such social skills are often difficult for children with autism, but this study shows that children have greater self-confidence if they live with pets. ”
Better sleep quality
Pet friends are Don’t you often have the experience of having your own cat and dog stay on the bed and end up having to “share the bed”?
A pet in the bedroom may bring a sense of security/relaxation America A team of researchers at the Center for Sleep Medicine surveyed 150 patients, 74 of whom reported owning at least one pet — mostly dogs and cats. The researchers collected a variety of information, including whether pets were allowed to sleep in bedrooms and beds, and whether pets interfered with sleep.
About 56% of pet owners say they allow their pets to sleep in a bedroom or bed. Studies show that “sharing a bed” with a pet can actually improve sleep. One such study was reported by MNT in 2015. The researchers found that 41% of all pet owners who allowed their pets to sleep in the bedroom or bed said their pets did not appear to be disruptive, and even brought a sense of security and companionship due to the presence of pets and relaxation, they even reported sleeping better.
After understanding this, do pet owners feel more confident in life? Do you want to “brainwash” a friend who doesn’t have a pet around him?
Source of part of the content of this article: Bio Valley
