why having a pet can transform your fitness, mood and health

This was written by Susan Peterson, her website is easytolovepets.com.

The benefits of having a pet extend far beyond companionship, touching multiple aspects of physical, mental, and emotional health. Owning a pet can positively impact everyday routines, encouraging an active lifestyle and fostering a sense of calm and connection. From improving mood to promoting healthier habits, pets play an invaluable role in enhancing the lives of their owners. Embracing the responsibility of pet ownership provides a pathway to a healthier, more balanced life. Here are some tips to get you started, courtesy of Rediscover Loz.

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How Dogs Motivate Us to Move

When you own a dog, your daily routine likely includes several walks – actions that not only keep your pet happy but significantly enhance your physical fitness. The necessity to keep a dog active ensures that you, too, are engaging in regular exercise, which can improve cardiovascular health, aid in weight management, and boost overall energy levels. This routine creates a fitness habit that is both enjoyable and easy to stick to because it revolves around the well-being of your beloved pet. Furthermore, walking a dog can help you reach and maintain recommended physical activity levels effortlessly.

Social Encounters on Leash

Walking your pet does more than just exercise its legs; it also opens the door to new social interactions. As you frequent parks and walking trails, you naturally meet other pet owners. These interactions, while casual, can build a community and foster friendships centered around shared experiences and interests in pets, significantly enriching your social life. Pets can act as social catalysts, creating bonds between people who might not have otherwise met.

Serenity Through a Soft Touch

Spending time with pets has a measurable impact on reducing cortisol levels, easing tension and promoting relaxation. However, stress can also be felt by pets, especially if they sense unease in their environment. To maintain a peaceful atmosphere for both, consider establishing routines that support mutual calm, including quiet time and regular outdoor breaks. For pets that show signs of anxiety, consider working from home periodically or scheduling visits from a trusted pet sitter to provide added comfort.

Lower Blood Pressure, Happier Heart

The simple act of petting your dog or cat can have immediate health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. This physical connection with a pet not only provides emotional satisfaction but also triggers calmness in the body, which can translate to better heart health over time. Regularly engaging in quiet moments with your pet can lead to long-term cardiovascular benefits. In addition, consistent engagement with pets can help you manage stress-related blood pressure spikes.

Companionship that Calms

Pets provide a unique form of emotional support that can dissipate feelings of loneliness and isolation. By offering unconditional love, pets become trusted confidants and companions. This emotional bond not only fills a gap in social interactions but also enhances psychological stability, offering comfort during times of stress or sadness. Their consistent presence serves as a source of resilience in challenging moments.

Mood Boosters at Home

The presence of pets in your life can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine – neurotransmitters that play a role in feeling calm and content. This chemical boost can significantly improve your mood, making everyday activities more enjoyable and life’s challenges more manageable. Pets inherently bring joy and laughter into your home, making them natural mood enhancers. Their lively energy often makes every day a bit brighter and more fulfilling.

Building Responsibility

Taking care of a pet instills a sense of responsibility and routine – especially for children! Regular feeding, healthcare, grooming, and exercise schedules for your pet require organization and commitment. This responsibility leads to a structured daily routine for you, promoting mental sharpness and emotional satisfaction in knowing you are caring for another living being. A strong sense of duty toward your pet fosters personal growth and self-discipline.

Integrating a pet into your life can lead to meaningful improvements in health, supporting a lifestyle that prioritizes fitness, emotional resilience, and happiness. The joys and responsibilities of caring for a pet encourage both stability and growth, enriching daily life in countless ways. As you continue to care for your pet, you’ll find that the bond between you fosters not just their well-being but yours as well, creating a shared journey toward a healthier life together.

Rediscover Loz is here to share tips and stories on wellness and weight loss. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

pets of my life

In my life, I’ve had 2 animals. Plus the odd fish or 2, which never seemed to last too long!

Millie

The first one was our dog, Millie. She was a beagle.

I remember I was 7 or 8 years old and in Year 2 at school. Mum and Dad had gone to pick her up while we were at school. I was getting picked up from school with my middle sister (who was in kindergarten). My youngest sister had not yet started school.

She was such a sweet and beautiful dog, but for some reason was scared of men she didn’t know. It may have had something to do with the fact that when she was small, she was attacked by the dog next door, and the make owner of this dog yelled at her. Millie was always OK with my male relatives, as she knew them, but strangers she did not like.

Being a beagle, she had a good nose on her. Anytime she got out, the only thing that would bring her back from up the street would be a Vegemite sandwich! Yes, she was crazy.

My greatest memory of her was when we were on holiday at my grandparents’ house in Bermagui. They backed onto a golf course. We would often take Millie for a walk after hours, as it was summer, so the sun didn’t set until about 8 pm. She was never a fan of water. We were walking out the back of the course, and there was a sewage pond, that was covered with a green moss, making it look like grass. Millie went running and jumped in the water. I will never forget the freaked-out look on her face once she realised it was water! She soon came speeding out of the water.

Nala

And then there is Nala!

She is my beautiful almost 8-year-old oriental cross domestic short hair. I have had her since she was a kitten, but she was a rescue.

I got her when I had more regular hours for work and wasn’t doing shift work anymore. I found her as a rescue and took her home when she was about 4 months old. She is frightened of people she doesn't know and will always hide from them.

But she and I are always chatting. She has a different meow for everything! I also have occasional contact with her brother's owner, and they have similar personalities. Although Nala is not quite as cuddly as Willis!

She even has her own Instagram page!

https://www.instagram.com/nalafarmer/

I cannot imagine my life without her!

There is also Tessa. She was my sister's dog, a Maltese x poodle. She was such a beautiful dog. I miss her a lot as well.