The Mood and Health Boosting Benefits of Dogs

Josh Billings, a famous American humorist, once said, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”

Every dog owner will probably agree with this one-hundred percent. After all, a dog is (wo)man’s best friend and their most loyal companion. After all, who wouldn’t want such a trustworthy, adorable, loving and devoted best friend, right?

There are many reasons why dog owners will agree with this, but the most important reason is that dogs come with powerful health and mood-boosting benefits that can release your stress, alleviate depression, improve your cardiovascular health, reduce anxiety, and ease away your loneliness.

The mood and health-boosting benefits of dogs are simply incredible, and it’s a wonder how an animal can pave the way towards good human health.

1. A Healthy Heart

With a dog in the house, you can kiss all your heart problems goodbye.

Dogs help boost your heart health by decreasing the likelihood of your getting a heart disease. You know how dog owners walk their furry buddies every day in the park or in the streets? Well, walking is a wonderful way to lower your blood pressure levels, which is why people with dogs have healthier hearts than those who don’t.

Studies have also shown that heart attack and other heart-related problems’ survivors live longer and increase their life span if they have a pet dog.

2. They Help You Release Stress

Ever noticed how simply ruffling your dog’s hair or petting it calms your mind and relaxes the body?

Dogs are excellent stress soothers because when you pet them, the very act lowers your blood pressure by releasing a relaxation hormone in your body and eliminating the stress hormone.

Not only does it soothe you, but is also pacifies your pet and they greatly enjoy it.

3. Decreased Blood Pressure

One of the most important mood and health-boosting benefits of dogs is that they help lower your blood pressure. This doesn’t mean that your pet can replace the role of exercise, medication and diet in your life, but it can definitely help you manage it to a great extent.

It has been proven through research that people who spend time with their dogs or any other pet on a daily basis have decreased blood pressure levels and heart rates compared to those people that don’t own a pet.

What’s even more amazing is that children that suffer from hypertension can feel so much better and relaxed just by spending a few minutes with a pet dog.

4. They Combat Depression

Therapists often suggest pet therapy to people with depression, given how pets offer such amazing benefits to better your mental health.

Dogs can help sense when you are sad or down, and as a result, they offer you their support by being there for you, listening to you for hours on end, and loving you conditionally.

While obviously having a pet in the house can’t completely mitigate depression, but it can surely help manage your depressive feelings and emotions.

Dogs help soothe your anxiety, allowing you to relax and achieve a much calmer state of mind. Even the smallest tasks like walking your dog, feeding it, petting it and grooming its coats pave the way towards better mood and health.

5. Fight Off Loneliness

There’s something about dogs in terms of how they are there for you in ways that people aren’t.

One of the most therapeutic mood and health-boosting benefits of dogs is how they help fight off loneliness, especially for people that live alone.

Dogs offer a whole other level of friendship, company, trust, love and care, which can result in a plethora of positive effects on the human mind and heart.

Imagine coming back from work to an empty home, except that it isn’t empty for your dog will be waiting for you at the door in anticipation, wagging its tail, and looking at you with wide, loving eyes. That’s one of the many joys of having a dog in the house. You know for sure that you will never be lonely because this furry companion will always be by your side.

6. They Encourage You to Go Outdoors

Dogs come with a natural desire to play outdoors and be among nature, which, in a way, is extremely beneficial for you. They encourage you to go outdoors and be amidst greenery and green spaces such as when playing fetch with them in the park or walking them on footpaths.

You can say that dogs lure their owners into nature, bringing in many amazing benefits like a healthy heart, improved mood, and a relaxed mind. After all, nature has some incredible benefits of its own that lead to improved overall health.

7. Unconditional Love

The people in your life may love you or not, but your dog always will!

Once a dog forms that beautiful bond with its owner, there’s certainly no going back. Prepare yourself to be smothered with kisses and cuddles, and showered with unconditional love and care.

Reading this just brings a huge smile to your face, doesn’t it? Dogs are simply adorable with a heart made of gold. Their love alone will release all your stress, boost your heart health and fight off feelings of grief, sadness and depression.

Turn That Frown Upside Down!

There’s no denying the fact that some of these mood and health-boosting benefits of dogs are simply unbelievable.

With a dog in the house, you can bid farewell to all your stress, anxiety and worries, and create space for happy and healthy thoughts.

Your furry companion will always make sure that you turn that frown upside down and the chances are that their cuteness alone will melt your heart and fill it with joy!

If you don’t already own a pet dog, perhaps it’s time to bring one home so that you can always be happy, in a good mood and full of joy.