Owning a cat or a dog or any pet for that matter improves many different aspects of our lives. Of course the issue that I'm talking about is our health, our mental well-being and our physical well-being. It only takes about 15-30 minutes for our level of cortisol to decrease due to less stress. So, that means, if you pet a cat or a dog for 15-30 minutes, which is very soothing and calming, then our stress level will decrease and our stress hormone cortisol will decrease. Also, along with less stress, there is a feeling of happiness with spending time with our pets. This, in turn, will increase our serotonin and dopamine levels. These hormones will help us with feelings of doubt and depression. Therapists actually have prescribed or recommended to their patient's to become a pet parent and own a pet of some type. If you are grooming, petting, feeding and taking care of a pet then you tend not to dwell on yourself so much. It takes the pt.'S mind off of them and they tend not to be so depressed.
One study was done on 240 marries couples. Of these married couple, the pet owners' blood pressure and heart rates were decreased during rest more than the couples that did not own pets. It actually held true whether they were at rest or while they performed a stress test. Another study showed those kids with high blood pressure lowered their blood pressure while they were petting a dog.
Also, another study showed that pet parents were more apt to have lower cholesterol readings. This could be from the more active life style that, especially dog owners have. They are more likely to take their dogs for hikes or walks everyday which, in turn, is better for both the dog and the owners. By walking 30 minutes a day or even 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon or playing with your dog in the back yard, you can increase cardiac health. Also, if you play with your cat as you perform your yoga exercises or play with a string or light across the floor, you increase the physical activity of your cat while you are helping yourself!
Pet owners tend to be more social and there isolation is reduced for humans. While visiting a dog park or just walking your dog, people will come up to you and start asking questions about your dog.
So get out there and visit your animal shelters and find the right pet for yourself and / or your family! You'll be healthier and happier for it and so will your forever friend!