Scientists say that pet owners can more easily endure all the hardships of quarantine and self-isolation – both from a psychological and physical point of view.
A pandemic is a great reason to take a dog from a shelter. Look: before you were worried that your pet would be bored alone, but now you are still at home. And when it’s over, you will have one more reason to go for a walk. In addition, you will receive a plus in karma, or even more than one: the shelters are now in poverty, there is nothing to feed the animals, because the volunteers have stopped coming, and the number of donations has greatly decreased. But we have a couple more reasons why you should get a dog right now.
Less stress
One explanation is that pets help counteract the negative effects of stress. For example, pet owners who take a math test in front of their pet have a slower heartbeat and a normal blood pressure, unlike those who don’t have a furry cheerleader next to them.
The current pandemic creates stress for all of us, including financial instability, health problems and uncertainty about the future and when it will all end and return to normal. Having a pet can help reduce the negative physical effects of stress on our bodies, which in turn can reduce our susceptibility to minor and serious illnesses.
More physical activity
Dogs can also improve our well-being by increasing our physical activity, as dog owners regularly walk their pets. Even in cities with strict bans, exceptions are generally made for pet owners. Some particularly adventurous citizens have even begun renting out their dogs to share the benefits of a much-needed escape from closed homes. Jokes have even appeared on social media that dogs complain about too many walks during a pandemic.
Emotional support
Pets provide deep emotional support. Having a pet can be especially beneficial for people who live alone and therefore have much less social bonds during times of social isolation. Dogs have a special ability to form close bonds with people: the bond you feel with your dog is not imaginary at all. In fact, dogs can distinguish between different types of emotional expressions on human faces, and they are especially sensitive to human voices.
Higher levels of the hormone of love
Even more intriguing is research showing that people who look into their dog’s eyes have elevated levels of oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.” Oxytocin is automatically released into our bloodstream when we show concern and tenderness, hug, kiss and breastfeed. It also leads to increased feelings of love, security, and happiness. Research shows that looking into our dog’s eyes makes us feel good in much the same way we feel when cuddling with loved ones.