You know that fuzzy feeling you get when you get your snuggle on with a dog? That's not something you're imagining; our canine friends have a very measurable and positive effect on our sense of wellbeing. They make us happier; they make us healthier.
If you've been on the campaign trail with regard to those with whom you live, begging them to consider the addition of a smaller, furrier housemate, here we gather some of the hard hitting science that's sure to back you up (should the fact that they're just cute as hell not be enough). Woof.
1. Various experiments have shown that spending 15 to 20 minutes with your dog can help you feel more relaxed and calm. The more you play with dogs, the more your brain produces serotonin and dopamine, the hormones associated with happiness and tranquillity.
2. Better still, when you look into your own pooch's eyes, you release oxytocin, one of the loveliest natural hormones that's oh so good when it hits. But the sweetest part is that it's not just us humans who get all the benefits; several studies have shown that dogs too experience increased levels of oxytocin when engaging in a long, loving gaze with their human counterpart.
According to the New York Times, Dr. Takefumi Kikusui, a professor of veterinary medicine says, “there is a possibility that dogs cleverly and unknowingly utilised a natural system meant for bonding a parent with his or her child.” So when people laugh at you for treating your pet like you would a child, go right ahead and show them this.
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3. If that wasn't enough, a recent study has also shown that a dog's heart beats in sync with their owner's, and thus, reduce their owner's stress levels. Sure to soften even the most belligerent of folks, they then found that despite beating at different rates, their heartbeats followed the same pattern. When the master's heart rose or fell, the dog's did too.
Researcher Mia Cobb, of Melbourne’s Monash University, tells the Huffington Post: "I was impressed at how much they came together. The fact that they shared patterns do closely surprised me. This kind of effect of experiencing a lowered heart rate makes a significant difference to our overall wellbeing. If we can decrease our heart rate by hanging out with our animals, that’s something that can really benefit the community."
Also commenting on the stress relieving benefits of owning a dog, Dr Craig Duncan said: "Stress is a major killer in today’s society and, as we get busier and busier, it is something that is really important for us to try to help with. The Hearts Aligned project aims to show how pet ownership can help us positively deal with the stressors of everyday life."
4. In terms of our physical health, a study from the British Journal of Health, 2004, showed that those with pets presented with fewer illnesses and physical afflictions than those without. They've even been found to lower one's cholesterol and blood pressure. What's more, owning a dog is guaranteed to get you out and about for a head-clearing walk, and just as they need some daily movement, so do you.
Failing this, if for whatever reason you aren't in a position to get a dog, then this Instagram account, Hot Dudes With Dogs, may help. We're still waiting for the scientific research to back this up.
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