Animals Do Great to Our Health – 5 Benefits (Part I)

For several decades now scientists have been studying the correlation between man and animal, more precisely the positive influence animals have on human health. Whether it's a child, an adult, an old man or a sick person, the truth is that in addition to being a great company, pets are good for their health, being true caregivers.

Here are 5 benefits we can achieve from having a pet and sharing love with another little furry soul:

1. Animals improve our mood

A contact of 15 to 30 minutes with an animal is enough for a person to feel less anxious and more willing - the interaction between them causes a decrease in cortisol (stress hormone) levels and an increase in the production of serotonin (associated hormone to the well-being).

2. Animals are recommended for people suffering from depression

Depressions tend to make a person feel alone and isolated from the world and that is where pets enter - in addition to expressing an unconditional love for their owners, animals are all heard and a perfect companion for those who are dealing with or recovering from a depression. The very act of caressing a pet is soothing and having the responsibility of caring for it is something that makes a person suffering from depression feel useful and important by focusing less on their problems.

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3. Animals are good for the heart

In addition to loving and being loved, pets literally bring benefits to the heart, protecting it against all kinds of heart disease. In a study conducted over two decades, it was concluded that whoever had never had a cat was more likely (about 40%) to die of a heart attack than anyone who had a cat at home. In the case of dogs, another study showed that their owners had a higher survival rate in the event of a heart attack.

4. Animals help to maintain a balanced blood pressure

Several studies have already proven that those who have a pet have lower blood pressure and heart beat rate when compared to someone who has no contact with an animal. In addition, children with hypertension have seen their tension dwindle dramatically after simply petting their pets.

5. Animals chase allergies and asthma

It has been proven that children growing up in a home that has a dog or cat (or both!) are less likely to develop allergies or asthma - the same applies to children growing up on farms, surrounded by large animals, such as horses, cows, and pigs, among others.

Let’s have pets and love them with all our hearts, not only for the benefits they bring but because they are little lovely souls we should take care of!