When you reach your house at the end of a stressful day and see your pet waiting for you, the calming feeling you suddenly feel is not just in your head. Research shows that your lovely pet really is good for your physical and mental health. "Pets often provide unconditional acceptance and love and they're always there for you," says Gary A. Christenson, MD, chief medical officer at Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota. "There is a bond and companionship that makes a big difference in mental health," not to mention the extra exercise you get from walks and playtime. Down blow you will learn the ways your pet can boost your health.
Pets may lower your cholesterol
If you own a dog, the daily walks are helping to keep your cholesterol low, says Rebecca A. Johnson, PhD, director of the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University Of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine. Plus, a survey by the Australian National Heart Foundation showed that people who have pets, mainly men, tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. …show more content…
"A powerful neurochemical, oxytocin, is released when we look at our companion animal, which brings feelings of joy," says Johnson. "It's also accompanied by a decrease in cortisol, a stress hormone." Through her research with patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Johnson has observed the powerful effects of animals. "One veteran couldn't leave his home without his wife until we placed a dog with him and in less than a week he was able to go around his town," she
Pets may lower your cholesterol
If you own a dog, the daily walks are helping to keep your cholesterol low, says Rebecca A. Johnson, PhD, director of the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University Of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine. Plus, a survey by the Australian National Heart Foundation showed that people who have pets, mainly men, tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. …show more content…
"A powerful neurochemical, oxytocin, is released when we look at our companion animal, which brings feelings of joy," says Johnson. "It's also accompanied by a decrease in cortisol, a stress hormone." Through her research with patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Johnson has observed the powerful effects of animals. "One veteran couldn't leave his home without his wife until we placed a dog with him and in less than a week he was able to go around his town," she