Animals make me happy. In a recent blog I shared some tips for dealing with anxiety, but I omitted one very significant part of the toolbox: our fur and feathered friends.
The benefits of being around animals for our mental health is well-known and multi-faceted. For instance, it has been shown that interacting with animals decreases levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the brain, and increases levels of Oxytocin (the so-called ‘cuddle hormone’) that is linked to feelings of bonding and belonging in social situations. A 2021 survey by HABRI found that 87% of pet owners found their mental health had improved thanks to their four-legged friends.
I can attest to that. While people can often be pretty ‘eurgh’, animals - all animals - never fail to brighten up my day and get the serotonin flowing. Whether it be looking out of the kitchen window and admiring the sparrows and blue tits (I like tits) on the bird table, or petting friends’ dogs while on a walk, they are a great distraction from all of the stresses of daily life.
Whenever I’m in a (dog-friendly) pub and someone walks in with their four-legged friend/s, nobody can stop me from crouching down and making a good fuss of them (the dogs, that is). Deep down I’m a cat person, but the excitable playfulness of a dog elicits a similarly daft response from me. I’ve even had a mate’s dog hump my shoes, but you can’t really stop them, can you? No worries there, Jon…
A dog can improve one’s physical health, too. Just as a cow must be milked and a car driven, a dog must be walked. This is a great excuse to get out of the house and lap up some fresh air, exploring the beautiful countryside with your panting bestie as you yourself pant because of those blooming hills. Exercise also plays a role in helping our mental health, as we know. Admittedly, ‘picking up’ after them is not much fun, but it is vitally important as there is nothing worse than dog mess on pavements and footpaths. Yuck!
Animals give you a sense of belonging, a routine, a reason for being. From making sure they get their breakfasts on time to monitoring their health, they give you a purpose that is beneficial for mental health. Many’s the time my late cat Minnie (pictured at top) used to scratch at my bedroom door wondering why a snoozing Ian was not dishing up Whiskas’ finest at 6am sharp. She was the best friend I ever had, and I miss her so very much. That bond I spoke of earlier? We were inseparable.
But it’s not just dogs and cats that help my mental health; I love birds, too. We have a pet cockerel by the name of Sam, and he’s a legend. He, along with two other (sadly now deceased) roosters got dumped on our land a few years ago and, well, being the generous, kind and modest soul I am, I took them in and they became pets. Sam loves nothing more than soaking up the sun, hanging around with his pheasant and duck friends, and devouring entire pieces of cake. He might not be able to talk, but being in his company is a privilege. You see, you can talk to animals, and they don’t judge or answer back or criticise. They listen and, deep down, I know they understand.
Comments