Karydaki

There has been a lot of research about pets and our health, and the relation between it.

Studies made in Australia, Germany, Holland and America showed some interesting results: people that live with their pets visit the doctor less often then people that live without them.
They also seem to be more active, have less stress, use less medicine, and recover from illnesses faster: 16% visits the doctor less then non-pet keepers and 21% of the people ends up less in hospitals. (The results seem to be double for man and woman above the age of 65 years)

Lets get a little bit more specific about this subject...So, pets seem to have positive influences on our health; we can basically divide these influences in 3 categories:

• our heart
• our stress level
• our self esteem

Pets are good for the hart!  

Research showed that dog owners have fewer changes to get involved with heart diseases.
In general dog owners go out at least 3 times a day for a walk, this of course improves not only the heart muscle, arteries and blood flow, it also keeps the weight under control, the longs healthy and fit, the muscles flexible and during a brisk 20 minute walk we provide our internal organs with fresh oxygen, the heart pumps this fresh blood around and around...
Not only doggie benefits from his walk, so do we!

Another interesting fact that came up during these studies is that people who own a pet have, in general, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the good news about these are obvious to anyone I believe.

One more positive benefit for the heart, not physical but psychological: people that live with pets are more affectionate and loving, they cuddle more, have less problems showing their emotions and laugh more....of course our hearts benefit from these happy and positive influences as well!!

Pets are reducing our stress levels!    

Psychologically and physically pets seem to reduce our stress levels or fears.
Researchers believe this happens because our pets make us feel comfortable and safe. Just petting your woefie or cat will calm you down in times of stress: it will lower your blood pressure and heartbeat. Actually, a lot of people claim they get more comfort from their pet then from a close friend or family member.                                                                                                                       
They don't feel judged or criticised by their woefie, it seems to be able to listen to you forever.
Not only cats or dogs can create a calming effect on you though, what about just staring at an aquarium for half an hour? Quit a lot of dentists in Australia use this "fish technique" on their patients and it seems patients feel less pain during treatment. Just watching the fish has apparently the same effect as hypnoses!

Pets are good for our self esteem!  

In 2001 British researchers discovered that pets played an important role in the recovery from breast cancer patients.
According to the patients they dont feel "judged" or taken differently by their pets.
The fact that patients dont need to prove their sexuality or identity helps them rebuild their self esteem, being with their pets doesn’t give them the feeling that they are "different" or that something is going on.