Article written by Health and fitness centre
Having your own furry friend greet you after a hard day at the office is a wonderful feeling, but here are the scientific facts that confirm, owning a dog can make your life a lot healthier.
You will be happier – Just spending time with your furry friend and petting him, can release “feel good” hormones into your body. 10 – 15 minutes of petting will see your body release serotonin, dopamine, prolactin and oxytocin, which will aid in coping with depression and help to release stress.
Face fewer health problems – Having a dog can make you more physically active. This is mainly due to the fact that you will need to walk your dog daily and engage in daily play. A study showed that dog owners had less cholesterol, lower blood pressure, fewer heart attacks and less medical
problems, compared to those without pets.
You will burn more calories – Research states that dog owners are more likely to stick to a workout routine, because they are doing it not so much for themselves but for their dogs. For example, if your dog is used to a regular run, you may find it difficult to resist him when he wants to head out.
You’ll make more friends – If it’s taking your dog for a walk in the park or to the beach, having a dog makes you instantly more approachable and friendly. A study in Britain found that 40% of people reported that having a dog made it easier to make friends.