Being alone can harm your health, but pets can help!

Written by: Kayleigh O'Neal

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Kayleigh is a sophomore studying Psychology and Biology at Alabama State University (ASU). Having fostered animals for many years, it is without question that her beliefs align with the mission of Endless Wags Australia to support animals that have therapeutic benefits to maintaining positive mental health in their owners. In this article, Kayleigh argues how pets can be beneficial to their owners, not just psychologically, but physically as well.

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During this time of isolation brought upon by the current global pandemic, many find themselves suffering from boredom, depression, and loneliness. This is particularly prominent among those who live alone that don’t have a partner or housemates to interact with. As we all experience first-hand how this isolation has shaken us, we begin to wake up to its effects on us in previously hidden ways.

The Herald-News, a local newspaper in Joliet, a city in the United States, stress that a lack of social interaction can not only negatively affect us mentally, but also physically. The Herald-News states that people who have frequent interact with others have reduced rates of many health risks such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and healthier blood pressure levels. This matter is especially important to our senior citizens who are among the most vulnerable, due to having lost close ties with relatives as they have aged. They are also likely to suffer more acutely in the current global pandemic, not even being able to leave their homes to interact with their local community.

However, having a pet may just alleviate this by providing them an avenue to physically interact with a living creature, rather than speaking to their relatives through the use of technology which severely impacts the feeling of intimacy.

Feeling lonely by yourself? An animal can be your companion

Taylor Bennett, writer for ThriveWorks which is a counselling practice in the United States, points out that loneliness is a feeling that stems from lack of companionship, easily solved by a furry friend. This is supported through research published on the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, indicating that pets provide just as meaningful social support for owners, as their loved ones.

Bennett talks about how dogs are proven to be great pets coming with great health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety through their goofiness, playfulness and lovingness. Cats on the other hand, although much more independent than dogs, are also proven to help with loneliness and anxiety because, believe it or not, they’re extremely loving! Other pets such as birds and rabbits, are often used as therapy animals to calm and entertain patients who experience stress.

To Bennett’s point, having a pet can be an aid to those who can’t see their families or be around loved ones during these hardships.

Owning a dog can also encourage you to take of yourself physically

The Mental Health Foundation, a UK charity whose mission is “to help people thrive through understanding, protecting, and sustaining their mental health”, points out that owning a dog can not only be a positive encouragement to create healthy physical habits by taking them out for walks, but also a way for them to socialize through talking with other dog owners.

With the Herald-News stressing the importance of social interaction and physical movement aiding in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, it’s no wonder why owning a pet during this potentially lonely and depressing pandemic may be important for the physical and mental health of people.

Science explains why pets can assist in treating mental health diagnoses

In addition, the Mental Health Foundation claims how being a pet owner can help children and people with psychological diagnoses such as Autism-Spectrum disorder and Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

Exercising with pets as well as giving pets attention can actually generate blood flow to your brain, boosting your ability to concentrate. The Mental Health Foundation claims that children diagnosed on the autism spectrum can benefit greatly from caring for pets as the ability to concentrate is something many children with autism have difficulties managing. They also point out that pets are great listeners, giving even anyone who is having a rough day an avenue to express their emotions without feeling judged, upset, and or defensive.

As for ADD/ADHD, it’s a similar principle of giving a person structure with a schedule to care for the pet and allowing them to build companionship with their pet, which is helpful to sustain their mental and physical health. The results in a 2011 study by The Mental Health Foundation called ‘Cats Protection’ suggests pet owners cope with everyday life better through caring for a pet. The study consisted of 600 cat and non-cat-owning respondents, half of whom describe themselves as having current mental health problems. It found that “...87% of people who owned a cat felt it had a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 76% said they could cope with everyday life much better thanks to the company of their feline friends.”

If science proves that owning pets can treat mental health patients, one can’t deny the fact that that pets can also be beneficial for anyone’s mental wellbeing through their extraordinary ability to alleviate stress and anxiety in day-to-day life, including feelings of loneliness and depression.

The bottom line

The global pandemic has woken us to new understandings of the impact of loneliness and isolation on our overall wellbeing. The impacts can even be physical for many, as research finds higher levels of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and higher blood pressure levels among those who have less frequent interactions with others. One way to alleviate the feelings of loneliness we’re experiencing in this pandemic environment is through being a pet owner, as owning a pet provides as much comfort as a human interaction. Studies also show that pets can benefit in treating psychological diagnoses such as Autism-Spectrum disorder and Attention Deficiency Disorder.

In conclusion, it is a proven fact that it is beneficial to be a pet owner during a pandemic and or when experiencing hardships, so if we can provide people with pets that can solve their problems we are taking one step closer to a greater community.

Sources:

Bennett, T. (2019, November 25). The best animal companions for loneliness: If you're feeling lonely, a pet can fill the void - Thriveworks. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://thriveworks.com/blog/the-best-companion-pets-to-help-with-loneliness/

McConnell, A. (2011, July 11). Retreived July 18, 2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-social-self/201107/friends-benefits-pets-make-us-happier-healthier

Pets and mental health. (2018, August 14). Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/pets-and-mental-health

Walker, C. (2016, June 10). The importance of social interaction. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.theherald-news.com/2016/06/03/the-importance-of-social-interaction/asxydg4/