November marks the season of giving thanks, and we’d like to take a moment to express gratitude for the many blessings in our lives, including the unconditional love and companionship of our pets.
The practice of gratitude in our everyday lives holds many benefits, both physical, mental, and emotional. In this blog post, please take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary bond we share with our furry companions and be thankful for the joy they bring to our lives. Below we’ll break down 5 key reasons to give thanks for the pets we’ve been given the honor to care for:
#1 – Stress Reduction and Anxiety Relief
A 2022 study from the American Heart Association found that a whopping 95% of Americans turn to their pet for stress relief. Whether your pet is furry, scaly, or feathered, their mere presence has been proven to promote a sense of calmness and security in your life. When given the option between spending intentional playtime with their pet or watching a TV show as a method of relieving anxiety, 70% of survey participants chose to spend time with their pet–citing that the anxiety relief was much more immediate and noticeable with their companion as opposed to on their own, in front of a screen. With that lessened anxiety comes other benefits such as lower blood pressure, decreasing cortisol levels, and improved heart health.
#2 – Social Connection and Companionship
As the days get shorter and colder, our furry friends help us combat loneliness by providing us with constant companionship. For those who work from home, live alone, or are simply isolated from others, the presence of a pet is a major blessing. Living with an animal can bolster a feeling of social support in one’s life. Having another living creature around you to interact with helps foster that mutual feeling of connection between the two of you. Additionally, your pet can be the driving force towards other social interactions. The desire to get your pet out of the house to socialize them with other people and animals isn’t just a benefit for them, but is also a great way for you to meet new people and forge bonds with other animal-lovers!
#3 – Physical Activity Incentive
We’ve all been there: you’ve had a long day, finally arrived at home, and all you want is to melt into your bed and take a nap, but your pet is simply demanding your attention. So, begrudgingly, you either take them for a walk or give in to their insatiable need for a game of tug-of-war. Yet suddenly, you don’t feel as tired as you did when you got home; you even find yourself having a great time! Like it or not, pets encourage us to lead more active lifestyles. We must show our gratitude for their not-so-subtle attempts to get us to shake off our couch potato tendencies and instead go on a walk or other outdoor adventure. It’s easy to talk yourself out of physical activity, but when you know you have a pet depending on you for exercise, it can be just the mental push you need to stand up and get moving!
#4 – Emotional Support and Unconditional Love
Another thing to be grateful for is your pet’s ability to perceive and react to your emotions. Though they can’t solve your problems, oftentimes a good cry with your best furry friend can be just what you need to feel better. Pets offer unwavering emotional support during some of life’s darkest moments. Additionally, they provide us with a unique, non-judgemental type of acceptance that can be difficult to come by from most human companions. Lastly, when our own problems feel overwhelming, owning a pet is a great way to navigate back to a sense of purpose. The knowledge that a living, breathing animal is depending on you to provide for it, could be just the remedy you need to put your own problems aside momentarily and focus on giving your pet its best possible care.
#5 – Mental Health Benefits
There is great therapeutic value in pets helping their owners manage common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.) Pet owners with depression can show their gratitude for the support their pet gives them in adding structure to their day. When each day feels hopeless, the small routines of pet ownership like feeding, watering, and playing with your pet can have many positive results. Those suffering from anxiety may find their self-confidence boosted after owning a pet. These pet owners have found that having a truly unconditional love, paired with a lack of criticism from their pet caused their mood to soar and their confidence to heighten.
So as you join family and friends around the table this Thanksgiving season, don’t forget to express your gratitude to your beloved pets and all they’ve done for your health this year. They may not comprehend each word that you say, but they certainly can feel your love and gratefulness radiate from you during this thankful time of the year.
