Ease The Stress - Get a Pet for Stress Relief

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Ease The Stress - Get a Pet for Stress Relief

 

Pet ownership can be beneficial in combatting social stress. This is

the finding of a new study into the effects of the human companion

animal bond. The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained

increasing attention during recent years for a wide variety of

patients - people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally

ill. More than 20 years ago researchers found that " pet ownership "

was a most significant factor in preventing heart disease.

 

Our pets are our loyal companions so we do not have to feel alone or

broken-hearted. In their spontaneous playfulness, they balance our

minds and bodies as they urge us to recreate, restore and heal. They

connect with our emotions, both our joy and our pain alike. They

remain our partners as we journey together with them, exploring and

learning our lessons in life.

 

Animals bring out our nurturing instinct. They make us feel safe and

love us unconditionally. We can just be ourselves around our pets.

They keep us in touch. As we touch them, they touch us in our most

basic rhythms deep within. They remind us of our inner need for

playfulness, rest, relaxation and restoration. They are uncluttered

by chattering thoughts and are attuned to the healing rhythms of the

earth and those same earth rhythms within our bodies.

 

Recent studies in the effects of cat purring suggest the frequency of

their purrs strengthens the cat's own bone density and tolerance for

pain. They expend much energy in their purring rhythms, which are

between 25 and 50 cycles per second. There may be an amazing

potential here, because some studies suggest that broken human bones

and arthritic tissue may be healed by these same resonant

frequencies. Having a cat purring on the lap may be more soothing

than we realize.

 

Preliminary studies are being considered to investigate whether cat

purring may assist in the healing of our bones, increasing bone

density for us as we age or for astronauts who lose bone density

during their time in space. Our cats may be teaching us new forms of

vibrational healing that could be applied to arthritic disease or as

a soothing pain reliever.

 

A study conducted at UCLA found that dog owners required much less

medical care for stress-induced aches and pains than non-dog owners.

In a study conducted at City Hospital in New York, it was found that

heart patients who owned pets were significantly more likely to be

alive a year after they were discharged from the hospital than those

who didn't own pets. The presence of a pet was found to give a higher

boost to the survival rate than having a spouse or friends.

 

Chairman of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), Mary

Whyam, said: ''For a lot of people, having a pet means that they feel

less lonely and therefore less socially isolated. This is

particularly true for elderly people living on their own who are less

mobile. To them a pet is a great companion, giving them unconditional

love and friendship that they would otherwise miss through reduced

social contact.''

 

SCAS is a registered charity dedicated to increasing our knowledge

and understanding of the relationship between humans and companion

animals, and to improving the quality of life of people and pets by

encouraging responsible attitudes.

 

A further study by Dr. Allen showed the positive effects pets can

have on their owners' blood pressure and heart rate. In this study

she measured the heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration response

(that is the body's stress indicators) among 45 adult women while

they performed a standard stress task in the presence of a female

friend or a pet.

 

The results revealed participants demonstrated higher signs of stress

and poorer task performance in the presence of the female friend than

those with the pet or those who were alone. This could be due to the

non-judgmental nature of pets - once again, proving that pets really

are good for our health and help us to beat stress!

 

It is surprising that it does not matter what the pet is to get the

therapeutic benefit. It could be a dog, a cat, parakeet, a gold fish

or anything else. The only thing that matters is that the animal is

of interest to you.

 

It is important that the pet you select fits your temperament, living

space and lifestyle. Otherwise it will be additional source of

stress. So, check out a few potential pets and see whether the

chemistry is compatible before you decide to adopt one. With the

right pet, you can look forward to many years of pleasurable

companionship and reduced stress. Enjoy!

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