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Pets and How They Affect Human Mental Health
Few people in this world are free from mental health issues. Whether it is stress or anxiety, depression, or something worse, we all suffer from some form of mental health issue. Sadly, many people choose to forget about these issues by distracting themselves with unhealthy habits such as spending endless hours online, drinking, taking drugs, or taking part in other unhealthy habits.
Although mental health is a struggle, it is essential to tackle it head-on if you want to live your best life. There are many things you can do to improve your mental health. Working out is one excellent example of using essential oils to relax, take herbal teas, or spend time offline. Go for a holiday, read a book or even better, work! You can opt for CBD products as well to ease your anxiety and take the edge off. CBD is a natural compound that has no psychoactive effects. You might find CBD in various forms, from oil tinctures to balms, vape liquids, and edibles. CBD gummies and other CBD products, for that matter, are easier to purchase these days.
But when none of these healthy options are right for you, then you may want to consider bringing a pet into your life because these beings have the power to improve your mental health significantly merely by being around.
Pets Remind Us to Play
Somewhere between work and life schedules, we forgot how to enjoy our downtime. We have become obsessed with being busy, having a to-do list, and thriving on this sense of importance that being busy gives us. What happens then is that we get anxious, restless, or worse, we suffer a panic attack when we have nothing to do.
We should not restrict play to children because, during this downtime, we can enjoy being still, recharge, and even finding inspiration. Pets can remind us to play by being themselves. They need our attention, and they expect us to entertain them. They remind us of the best part of being a kid.
Pets Get Us Outside
Even before the pandemic, our modern lifestyle turned most of us into the indoor generation. We do so many things indoors these days — including walking.
While staying indoors has its comforts, we mustn’t get stuck in a rut and so set in our ways that are going outside becomes an anxiety-filled endeavor.
Pets, especially dogs, will make you go outside whether or not you feel like it. Not only will you be exercising more, but you will have a chance to look at nature, wonder at the sky, and daydream — all of which are essential to giving us perspective, a sense of peace, and inspiration.
Pets Give Us Unconditional Love
There are moments in life where we may feel isolated, misunderstood, and abandoned by those who should be our biggest supporters. Such an experience can significantly affect our mental health where we may even be at risk of suffering from depression.
With a pet around, you can always experience unconditional love. Even the meanest pet owners can experience loyalty from their pet — that’s how loyal animals are. It is a comforting notion to know that someone loves you and has no ill intentions and no hidden agenda.
Pets Give You a Purpose
When anxiety or depression are part of our daily life, doing anything is often a feat. These mental health conditions leave us with no sense of purpose and stop us from doing the simplest things out of fear or apathy.
But when a pet is part of your household, doing nothing is practically impossible. Pets give us a sense of purpose by expecting daily things such as food, water, and play. Some pets, such as dogs, require us to go outside at least once a day, thus giving you a push to get going even when you feel like staying on the couch all day.
Pets Make Us Socialize
Whether or not we like to admit it, we need to socialize every day to build perspective and feel a sense of camaraderie. Socializing is essentially a basic human need. Sadly, with the online world being so efficient, many of us have forgotten that socializing online is not the same thing as in actual life.
Luckily, there is no risk of being antisocial with a pet. These little creatures get us talking about them without our even knowing it. Dogs are great because they get us out of the house and talking to other dog owners, or at least nodding hello from across the street. Cats on our windowsill are a magnet for neighbors and passersby, and exotic creatures will entice anyone from nine to 90-years-old.
More than us helping them, pets help us have a better life. Mental health issues are common, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. The important thing is to address your problems so you can live the life you were meant to live.
