Pawsitive Purpose
How dogs can impact our physical, mental, and spiritual health
Dogs depend on us to take care of them but, have you ever thought about how dogs take care of us? Owning a dog benefits us in all aspects of our well-being including physical, mental, and spiritual health. Our furry friends are more than their cute faces but rather a health and happiness insurance policy. Dogs hold the power to create healthy, active, and well-connected individuals.
Physical Health:
Dogs can have a profound impact on our physical health. Through their active nature, they help their owners increase their physical activity, reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, and improve outcomes after cardiovascular events.
Increased Physical Activity: Dogs require regular exercise, which encourages owners to get out of the house and into nature whether that be on a walk, run, or hike. They keep us active and mobile which improves our quality of life and leads to better cardiovascular health, weight management, and overall fitness. Rain or shine, our fluffy pals always get us moving.
Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Issues: A benefit of owning dogs includes decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Through their calming nature, they help our bodies to feel at ease and regulate themselves better. By lowering these levels, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues such as heart attack or stroke.
Improve Post-Cardiovascular Event Outcomes: A study found those with dogs have better health outcomes after suffering a major cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke. It was discovered that people who lived alone benefited the most from owning a dog. The study revealed that owning a dog reduced the risk of death for heart attack and stroke survivors who lived alone. Heart attack survivors had a 33% lower risk of death and stroke survivors had a 27% reduced risk. Owning a dog can increase your chances of survival dramatically when faced with life-threatening cardiac events.
Mental Health:
These four-legged, furry friends of ours do not just force us to be physically active, but their unconditional love and adorable snuggles hold immense power to help us psychologically as well. As they:
Provide happiness: Dogs as pets hold the remarkable ability to positively impact their owners’ mental health. It is scientifically proven that the presence of pets, significantly dogs, can elevate serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin levels which contributes to making human beings feel happy. That is why dog owners cherish them as their family members and not merely as “pets.”
Ease Loneliness: These furry friends help humans ease loneliness with their immense love and companionship. As dogs are always playful and keep their owners engaged and occupied, this reduces the time for them to overthink or experience anxiety. This constant companionship and distraction provided by dogs assist in mitigating loneliness and emotional distress.
Make us sociable: Introverts often desire to create social bonds, but their reserved nature makes it challenging for them to do so. Dogs, however, can facilitate social interaction. How? Well, if you are a dog owner and take your furry companion out for a walk, everyone you encounter desires to pet these adorable creatures. This prompts conversations with multiple people, helping introverts to build social relationships.
Spiritual Health:
Spirituality and dogs go hand in hand. Dogs provide spiritual protection, and this belief comes from various religious and cultural views. They are highly sensitive creatures known to perceive things beyond human comprehension. Research has also shown that dogs have a profound impact on both physical and spiritual health.
Angels in disguise– Well, this is what comes to mind when we consider dogs, isn’t it? Dogs were sent to Earth to have a positive effect on humanity. They are one of the greatest therapists we could ever find, just like counselors with fur! They are skilled emotional healers and employ a range of tempting techniques to gain your affection. When they detect that anything is off, they may gently communicate it by licking your cheeks or wagging their tail.
Protectors of our energy- The four-legged angels serve as our energy guardians. Many people are unaware of this, but dogs absorb all the negative energy around them and then release it by taking a stroll, spending time in nature, touching plants, or even exchanging kisses. They will also sacrifice themselves for their master if required, and that is when we witness sudden deaths. Pretty sad, but they are called angels for a reason.
Our healers– Heartfelt affection is one of the biggest healers in the whole universe. Along with eternal love, dogs heal us by transmuting energies. Even in times when we feel small and powerless, they serve as a constant reminder of how strong and capable we are to care for them. Additionally, dogs perceive us as light, which is what we are composed of and were aware of before we were even born. Unlike common belief, our pets select us, not the other way around. They are aware of our life’s ambitions and are there to support us every step of the way. Through their everlasting love and affection, they raise our vibrations and increase our happiness. Dogs approach us in such a way that we do not doubt our choice to choose them.
In a world that can be stressful and isolating, dogs embody positivity and purpose. As we care for them, they in turn care for us as well in physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Taking care of dogs may not always feel easy but the benefits speak for themselves. We need dogs just as much as they need us.
For more information, check out:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/health/national-dog-day-2021-benefits-of-dogs-wellness/index.html
https://spiritualinsights.info/the-spiritual-mission-of-dogs-in-our-life/ https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/the-deeper-spiritual-purpose-of-pets/
How Dogs can Help with your Mental Health – Cleveland Clinic Newsroom
5 Ways Dogs Help Humans Be Healthier and Happier – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
5 Amazing Mental Health Benefits Of Dogs, Backed By Science (blunt-therapy.com)
The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet | Psychology Today
