6 Ways Dogs Can Improve Your Mental Health

Dogs are excellent companions who can improve your mental health. We often overlook psychological issues, but they have a huge impact on our immune system, physical health, and mental well being.

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, low immunity, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, lack of focus, etc., you should get a dog. The companionship of the faithful dog will impact positively on 90 percent of your mental health.

Here are six ways caring for a dog will improve your mental health.

1. Treats Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

PTSD primarily interferes with the normal brain functions of people who have survived or witnessed a trauma such as the death of loved one, natural disaster, accident, assault, etc. The person suffers from nightmares, anxiety attacks, flashbacks, and outbursts of aggression. Besides medication and counseling, pets have proved to improve the condition of PTSD patients.

Pet dogs or cats are a positive distraction for the patients. Fulfilling the dog’s needs and caring for him helps with a quick recovery of mind. Happy experiences with dogs will increase the level of oxytocin, the happy hormones.

2. Provides a Sense of Purpose & Direction:

When the dog owner cares for the needs of his dog, the pooch thank him with lots of licks and hugs. The faithful companionship of dogs can make you get out of the bed each day with a real reason.

Don’t you feel excited at the idea of someone eagerly waiting for you at home? Your pooch will do the wait, and you will be the source of his happiness.

However, if he sheds lots of hair, it gets irritating to see them all over your furniture as you enter the home. Consider buying best pet hair vacuum to ease the trouble.

3. Improves Autism in Children:

You must have heard that children who grow up in a house with pet dogs or cats have a strong immune system. Not only that, but dogs also help autistic children to have a positive self-image. Autism is associated with various difficulties like low confidence during social interaction, lack of communication, etc.

A 2014 study on autistic children has shown that children bonded strongly with their pets and a huge improvement in their interactive skills were seen. Around 94% parents interviews during study stated that their children were more happy, social and confident.

4. Develops Positive Self-Image in Children:

Kids that grow up with dogs learn responsibility, empathy, and compassion. The companionship and faithfulness of a dog can make your children feel important. They develop a positive self-image of themselves. They are more confident and social with everyone. These qualities help in the development of a balanced and poised personality of children.

5. Creates High Emotional Intelligence:

Children, who are brought up at dog-friendly home, have higher emotional intelligence. They have more patience, compassion, affection, and sympathy for others. When they care about their dog’s food and water and other needs throughout the day, it develops the balanced personality of the child. The chances of aggression in children are lowered.

6. Reduce Depression:

Dogs therapy are well-known for boosting moods of their human companions. A hug or lick of the dog can increase the release of oxytocin, which can help people suffering from depression, stress or anxiety.

Studies have shown that people living an anti-social lifestyle were helped by pet dogs to become more social and confident. You can share your worries with your pet companion, and he will never pass it on. The dog’s manner of enjoying life will help the depressed to live in the present moment and enjoy life more fully.

Author Bio: James is a part-time dog-trainer and dog behavior consultant with years of experience in dog training and the man behind LabradorTrainingHQ.com. He is interested in finding out fun ways to handle dog behaviors, specifically, Labradors to help dog-owners enjoy their companions at all times.