How Pets Help with Depression (Lucia)
Life can be challenging, but many people find love and comfort in their furry friends! Animals and companions can have a massive impact on mental health, especially in alleviating symptoms of depression. Pets provide unconditional love and create a sense of purpose, and they can play a significant role in bettering our emotional health.
Unconditional Love and Companionship
From dogs to cats, many animals and types of pets love unconditionally and offer a different form of companionship from human companions. Pets are always by your side no matter what, and they forgive easily. When you pet a dog or lay with a cat, your body releases oxytocin, a “happy” hormone that reduces loneliness and isolation. Being with a pet can boost your emotions and provide a reliable pick-me-up.
Physical Activity and Routines
One of the main challenges that people with depression face is maintaining a healthy routine and getting enough exercise. Pets love routine; this can help bring structure to one’s day and help one get out of bed in the morning. Routine helps combat low energy and lethargy that is associated with depression. Furthermore, pets like dogs require daily walks. Having a pet will force you to get outside because even if you do not want to, you must do it for your pet.
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
The presence of a pet has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cggr/2014/623203/. Cortisol is a stress hormone commonly known as your “fight-or-flight” hormone. Studies have shown that the comforting weight of a cat or petting a dog triggers a relaxation response, therefore lowering cortisol levels. At the end of a stressful day at school or work, it is nice to come home to something that will calm you down, and a pet will do that!
Social Connection
Social anxiety, depression, and many other mental health issues can cause people to feel lonely and that they do not have a community. By getting a pet, specifically a dog, you are signing up to take them on daily walks, which can help alleviate your symptoms. For example, if you have social anxiety when walking your dog, try to say hello to someone else that you pass on the sidewalk. Start with small steps and eventually work your way up to expose yourself to what you’re afraid of! In addition, daily walks mean that you have a greater chance of talking to others and forming relationships with others. If you take your dog to the park, you will meet new people and potentially form friendships! In addition, birds are also a very social creature. Birds can help with feelings of isolation and depression because of how social they are.
A Sense of Purpose
Getting and caring for a pet can instill a sense of purpose in someone. It will motivate you to get out of bed in the morning because you are responsible for caring for your pet, even if you don’t want to care for yourself. Adopting a pet can be especially valuable for people who lack motivation or feel emptiness because it gives them someone to be motivated by. By having a pet, you have someone who relies on you constantly; they depend on you for food, water, care, and love, which is a great responsibility.
Bonds between humans and animals are deep and emotional, and pets can be a natural remedy for some symptoms of depression. Pets bring a sense of purpose and joy to our lives and can always boost our moods, demonstrating their healing power.
If you are feeling down and need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Letters Against Depression if you haven’t already. We send letters of hope and support to those who need someone there for them. You can request to receive letters here.