Depression is a serious illness that is becoming more and more prevalent. Today, around 300 million people in the world suffer from depression, with 6.7% of adults in the USA dealing with this condition.
Other people are reading: Tips to Reduce Stress Working Online
While anti-depressants are often the standard go-to for treating depression, there is more and more research emerging that points to the way in which having a pet can bring about similar results, but without any of the negative side effects.
The way in which a pet can lift a person's mood so quickly has been witnessed for centuries, but science has only recently been able to prove why this actually is...
It all comes down to a hormone called oxytocin. This chemical, which is nicknamed the Love Hormone, is the same chemical that creates the strong bond between mother and child during breastfeeding.
Well, did you know that simply looking into your pet's eyes causes your oxytocin levels to rise?
The same happens with dopamine and beta-endorphin, both of which are also neurochemicals that promote the feeling of love and bonding.
All of these chemicals can really help when it comes to lifting a person out of a depressive state.
Dogs tend to have the most needs, but even a fish will need regular feeding, and their tanks will need regular cleaning. If you want to go away for a few nights, you will need to put some preparation and thought into how your pet will be cared for while you are away.
All of this routine and responsibility significantly promotes mental health.
How?
It helps to build a person's self-esteem, showing them that they are capable of taking care of another life, as well as their own.
Simply having a small sense of structure in your life can also help to promote better sleep quality, which will help to keep your mental state more stable.
This is something that pets don't do...
Instead, pets are all about living in the moment, and this is something that you will witness no matter the type of pet you have.
Owning a pet helps to teach a person about mindfulness, which is a mental state that has been proven to be able to reduce the cognitive symptoms of depression.
Mindfulness enables a person to let go of any negative thoughts and feelings, and concentrate instead on what is currently happening in that moment.
Depression can really take its toll on a person's life, which is why this is a condition that needs to be tackled as soon as possible.
There is no denying that depression can sometimes take a very long time to overcome, but having a pet can definitely make this process easier and quicker, as well as more enjoyable!
Other helpful articles for you:
 |
| How Pets Help With Depression: eAskme |
Other people are reading: Tips to Reduce Stress Working Online
While anti-depressants are often the standard go-to for treating depression, there is more and more research emerging that points to the way in which having a pet can bring about similar results, but without any of the negative side effects.
FEEL-GOOD BRAIN CHEMICALS
The way in which a pet can lift a person's mood so quickly has been witnessed for centuries, but science has only recently been able to prove why this actually is...
It all comes down to a hormone called oxytocin. This chemical, which is nicknamed the Love Hormone, is the same chemical that creates the strong bond between mother and child during breastfeeding.
Well, did you know that simply looking into your pet's eyes causes your oxytocin levels to rise?
The same happens with dopamine and beta-endorphin, both of which are also neurochemicals that promote the feeling of love and bonding.
All of these chemicals can really help when it comes to lifting a person out of a depressive state.
CONSISTENCY, ROUTINE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Whether you have a dog, a bird or a rabbit, just about every pet requires some form of consistency and routine.Dogs tend to have the most needs, but even a fish will need regular feeding, and their tanks will need regular cleaning. If you want to go away for a few nights, you will need to put some preparation and thought into how your pet will be cared for while you are away.
All of this routine and responsibility significantly promotes mental health.
How?
It helps to build a person's self-esteem, showing them that they are capable of taking care of another life, as well as their own.
Simply having a small sense of structure in your life can also help to promote better sleep quality, which will help to keep your mental state more stable.
LIVING IN THE PRESENT
When a person is in a depressive spiral, it becomes easy to dwell on problems and anxieties, whether these may be from the past or in the future.This is something that pets don't do...
Instead, pets are all about living in the moment, and this is something that you will witness no matter the type of pet you have.
Owning a pet helps to teach a person about mindfulness, which is a mental state that has been proven to be able to reduce the cognitive symptoms of depression.
Mindfulness enables a person to let go of any negative thoughts and feelings, and concentrate instead on what is currently happening in that moment.
Depression can really take its toll on a person's life, which is why this is a condition that needs to be tackled as soon as possible.
There is no denying that depression can sometimes take a very long time to overcome, but having a pet can definitely make this process easier and quicker, as well as more enjoyable!
Other helpful articles for you:
