The saying "a dog is man's best friend" is true. I can personally attest to this. Not only are dogs our best friends, but they also keep us healthy: physically and emotionally. As a surgeon, my days are filled with high-pressure decisions and emotions, but when I walk through the door at the end of my day to my dog's wagging tails, everything seems lighter. There are many benefits of owning a dog, and they enrich our lives.
The Benefits of Owning a Dog
From making us happy to keeping us physically active, there are many benefits of owning a dog, even ones backed by science.
Dogs Keep Us Moving
On average, dog owners walk more than non-dog owners, making physical activity one of the biggest benefits of having a dog. No matter how exhausted I feel after work, my husband and I always make it a point to take the dogs for a walk when I get home. Even a short walk around the block can be enough to clear my head and help me connect with my husband and dogs. My dogs help me get outside and stay active.
Dogs Help with Stress
Did you know that interacting with your dog can lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension? Studies confirm what many of us know, that having a dog can significantly reduce stress levels. One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day is to spend a few moments petting my dogs. It's a calming routine that helps shift my mood and releases the built-up tension in my shoulders.
Dogs' ability to regulate our nervous systems makes them natural stress relievers. Simply being present can help decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and boost our feel-good hormones. Whether you're playing with them, taking a walk, or just enjoying quiet time together, dogs have an incredibly calming effect on our minds and bodies.
Dogs Boost Our Happiness
Beyond alleviating stress, dogs also boost our happiness. They have an uncanny ability to sense when we're feeling down, stressed, or even unwell. My dogs have been with me through losses, long days, and happy moments.
Dogs don't judge us. When we're sad, dogs offer us their unconditional love and loyalty. Studies show that interacting with dogs can increase oxytocin, creating a sense of happiness and connection. They help lift our spirits, no matter what we're going through.
Dogs and Connection
Dogs are experts at creating connections, not just with us but with others. How many times have you been out walking your dog and had someone stop to ask if they could pet it or learn more about it? Dogs are natural icebreakers.
One way I balance the demands of work and personal life is by saying "yes" to connection. My dogs help me connect with others when it would be easier not to.
Dogs Enrich Our Lives
My dogs: (from L to R): Hailee, Finn, & Scout
Dogs enrich our lives in many ways - even more than what I've shared here. My dogs certainly enrich my life. They balance my busy days, helping me stay active, happy, and connected. But they do so much more than that. Dogs offer us a kind of companionship that's hard to find elsewhere.
Let's celebrate the incredible ways dogs keep us healthy, not just as pets, but as companions who transform our lives for the better.
Providing you care beyond the visit ~
Dr. Cindy Geocaris