Pets! As a pet owner, is your stress level reduced because you have a pet??

@artistry (4152)
United States
December 30, 2009 11:57pm CST
Do you find that your pet has helped lower your stress level? Has owning a pet helped you lower your blood pressure in any way?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@apgh09 (514)
• United States
31 Dec 09
hi artistry, yes i find that having a pet defiantly reduces my stress levels, When I look at my pet with those big brown eyes and super long tongue hanging out the side of her mouth I can't help but to pick my pet up and hold it tight. or at night when my pet uses me as her human pillow. Just being able to come home and know that my pet will be there waiting ready to play is enough to put a smile on my face. I don't know about lowering my blood but I do know that many animals are used as therapeutic purposes and people often feel happy and calm so I would imagine that a pet could lower your blood well as long as you dont go overbaord and eat food filled with salt.
@artistry (4152)
• United States
31 Dec 09
...Hi there apgh09, Thanks for sharing. I completely agree with you. Pets have that ability just by being there to make one smile. They know who you are, they don't know or care about your faults, they just give you love. It's no doubt that they help reduce the stress level, they draw it out of you by playing and running around with you. Pets are great and we should be good to them, as I think they help to increase our life span. Take care. Have a great New Year, you and your family and your big brown eyed pet.
@bethed (277)
• United States
31 Dec 09
I have not medically checked to see if my BP is lower when my dog is around but what I do know is that I laugh more and I smile more. I think that I probably get more exercise because of my pet. I think that I worry less because I am always occupied with what is being torn up now!! I have a Marley so I am always running yelling and chasing my pet !!! I think that she is one of the most positive things that has Happend to me in my faimly in quite a while!!
1 person likes this
@artistry (4152)
• United States
31 Dec 09
...Hi bethed, All the things you say would certainly lead to reducing stress, more laughter, more smiling, are all positive things which help you physically to be more relaxed. The exercise is excellent as well and you are having fun as you do it. That is the thing about most pets, I believe, they bring joy into our lives and unconditional love. Take care, and a very Hsppy New Year to each and every one of you, including your adorable Marley.
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
31 Dec 09
I have found over the years of owning pets that yes they do indeed help lowering stress levels. In return, lower stress also usually means lower bp as well depending on other factors. I have 2 labs at this time. One is a red lab and the other is a black lab. The black lab (Pebbles) is mine and she is so funny to watch because even when you aren't petting her she starts wagging her tail then it begins to wag her whole body. She's always a happy dog and keeps me nice and warm when we cuddle up on the couch or in the bed together. The red lab (Red) is my boyfriend's dog and you can tell he loves attention too. He lays on my boyfriend's lap while my boyfriend watches football. One thing that's funny about the pair of them is that if one gets attention the other one moves the one out of the way so that they can get loving as well. With us both working different schedules there is always someone home to make sure that they are behaving and being trianed.
@artistry (4152)
• United States
31 Dec 09
...Hi there miller1978, Thank you for such a neat response about your labs. I would be curious to know, did each of you have your labs before you met? If so, that is very interesting about what you have in common :o). I think that animals, some of them, were especially put on earth to be companions to people. I smile every time I see a picture of kittens or cats and dogs on tv with big eyes grab my heart strings. Animals are great and pets help to bring joy to our hearts, they give love at all times, all they want is to be cared for and loved in return. Thanks again, have a great New Year, all of you.
@allknowing (130859)
• India
31 Dec 09
Despite all the nitty gritty that involves in maintaining a pet I find my pet a source of constant joy and a stress buster. She is constantly by our side and a wonderful watch dog too. We have always had pets and I cannot imagine my house without one.
@artistry (4152)
• United States
31 Dec 09
...Hey there allknowing, I agree, pets are the greatest. They run to you when you get home. They want to sleep on you at night, to be with you. They look at you like you are the greatest thing around. They give you unconditional love, all they ask is to be cared for and loved in return. I think pets are truly wonderful for people, the cleaning up and stuff, we do that for our cars, without such a return of affection, and I believe, because of our pets, a lengthening of our life span. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a Happy New Year. every one of you.