Examples of how animals help us relieve stress
People who owned pets were more likely to be survive longer after a heart attack than people who didn't own pets. Many researches have proved that animals can help us relieve stress. Here are some researches which prove that animals help people lower their stress level:
~In a recent study, 240 married couples, half of them pet owners, were given stressful tasks to do: mental arithmetic or holding their hand in ice water for two minutes. People who had pets nearby before and during the tests had lower heart rates and lower blood pressure. They completed the arithmetic tests with fewer errors. And their heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal faster after the ice-water test. Non-pet owners, on the other hand, didn't perform as well demonstrating more stress and making more mistakes even when alone or when their spouse or a friend was nearby. Spouses and friends, however, were encouraged to lend support during both experiments.
This study suggests that pets can buffer reactions to acute stress as well as reduce the perception of stress.
The researchers also suggest that the study participants may have seen their spouse or friend as judgmental of their performance, which increased stress levels. Pets were not seen as judgmental.
~Like many men, Gilbert Kaminski didn't want to listen to the cries of his body that were saying something was wrong. For example, headaches, aches all over the body¡K
Gilbert eventually needed open heart surgery. Rehab coordinator Mary Waller helps a lot of patients with their recovery from this type of operation. Surprisingly, the simple act of petting an animal may help reduce all kinds of stress.
Mary says, ¡§When you relax and you pet a pet and you feel the soft fur, it can release positive chemicals in our bodies that can make us feel good, and pets make us laugh.¡¨
Pets can also help you put more activity in your life to help keep you in shape. And one of the things that pets help with, particularly if you have a dog, is that it gets you to go out and exercise your animal and so in that sense it can help relieve stress.
Since stress is considered a risk for heart disease, reducing your stress level is important. Gilbert says that through his recovery he learned some other things that are important too.
In addition, Gilbert's cat who has helped him relax during his recovery from his battle with heart disease. It's also been shown that pets can increase their owner's sense of worth by meeting the need to care for someone else.