|
Pets can make us happier and healthier
Pets are the great remedy if we want to stop being sad. If you've ever owned a pet, you know that they can add to our lives a huge dose of fun and unconditional love. Researches confirm that our intuition about it is actually true. Pets are good sources of social and emotional support for everyone. In the following article I will try to examine what science knows about this topic.
Allen R. McConnell and Christina M. Brown conducted three different studies to examine the potential benefits of pet ownership among everyday people. First they surveyed 217 people to compare differences between pet owners and nonowners. In particular, they wanted to examine whether people become a pet owners because of their lack of social competence and it is easier to turn into pets, or the other way around and they extend their good relationships with other people to pets as well. The results were unambiguous, pet owners were happier, healthier and better adjusted than were nonowners. In study 2 researchers examined 56 dog owners, it showed that pet owners who thought their dogs increased their feelings of belonging, a meaningful existence and self-esteem fare better than those who didn't perceive that their pet fulfilled their social needs. In study 3 they made an experiment in the laboratory. It involves manipulation in which undergraduate participants were asked to write about a time when they were socially excluded. Then they were asked to write about their favorite friend, their favorite pet or to draw a map of their college campus. The results of this study showed that thoughts about one’s pet could stave off the negativity resulting from an experience of social rejection equally to thoughts about a friend. Most dog owners have certain about therapeutic effect dogs brought to their lives. But not many of us know that they can literally lengthen our lives by lowering blood pressure, curing depression, people also survive longer after heart attacks. These are only a few examples, but general message is that one’s health and happiness improves significantly from pet ownership. So maybe, it's time to take care of your health and get a dog. |