Defy Age Naturally

If I had to choose the being in the world that made all of my stress disappear the most…it would be my dog Chili. She makes me laugh, smile, and play everyday, and she is always there to cuddle me and give me love. She instantly knows when I am upset and is there to comfort me, in a way that I never imagined a pet would. She certainly knows how to lower blood pressure naturally.

James Serpell, PhD, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania says that owning a pet reduces the number of visits to the doctor, prolongs survival after a heart attack, and wards off depression. His family has a cat, a dog, a large green iguana, a bearded dragon, and a dozen fish.

Having a pet can be like having a little dose of yoga by your side. If you are a dog person…or a cat person or another sort of animal person, it is impossible to stay really down when there is all of that unconditional love being lavished on you. Pets provide support, stress relief and other health benefit. They give people a reason to live, especially as they get older and children are gone and career is less important.

Pets Lower Blood Pressure Naturally… More Than Drugs:
One study revealed that hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats had lower heart rates and lower blood pressure naturally more than those who didn’t get pets. Furthermore, pets seemed to lower blood pressure more than drugs…and rather than the potential harmful side effects caused by drugs, the only side effect are possible accidents on the floor and fur on the furniture.

Get in a Good Mood!
Men with AIDS have been found to be three times more likely to suffer from depression than those without AIDS. However, research has found that men with AIDS were half as likely to suffer from depression if they owned a pet. Men with AIDS are generally up to three times more likely to report symptoms of depression than men who did not have AIDS.

Pets Get Us Outside Exercising.
Since getting a dog, I am out for a walk everyday (whether I like it or not and in all weather conditions). This is mostly because dogs need a walk, but it is also more fun and motivating to go out for a walk if we have a friend. Walking is a good way to release stress and getting fresh air is good for our overall wellbeing.

Pets Can Reduce Stress, Maybe More Than People:
Spending time with a pet may be even better than talking things out with a friend! Recent research shows that, when conducting a task that’s stressful, people actually experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend or even their spouse was present. They just offer unconditional love without judgment.

Pets Can Help Us Meet People
I talk to far more random people when I have my dog than when I don’t. Random chats to strangers can cut stress and make us healthier.

Having a pet is one of the most fun ways to fight ill health, beat stress, stay youthful, and have fun!

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This entry was posted on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm and is filed under Reduce stress, science of aging.
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