If You’re Looking for Happiness, Adopt a New Pet

Happiness doesn’t just come by sitting and doing nothing. If you want happiness, you have to go out and get it! There are a lot of things that might make you happy, but some of the most common reasons for lasting happiness include relationships. That’s not just relationships with other humans, but with animals as well. If you’re looking for happiness, it might be at the pet shelter! The following are some ways pets can improve both health and happiness for their owners.

Pets Foster a Sense of Community

If you’ve ever been out for a walk and seen a dog, you may have stopped to chat with the owner. Pets are great conversation starters, fostering a sense of community. For people who deal with depression and other psychological illnesses, that sense of community could be very important. When you’re connected to others, you’ll naturally feel happier.

There’s also a certain community that comes with the specific pet you own. For example, if you own a dog, you might take your pup and a frisbee to the dog park once in a while. There, you’ll meet other dog owners like yourself. Some friendships can begin to form for both you and your dog.

Pets Can Lower Stress

There’s a reason service animals exist for those with mental illnesses. While someone might not need a seeing-eye dog, he or she might need a service animal to provide comfort and reduce stress. The simple act of stroking your dog or cat can make your blood pressure decrease. This creates a comfortable calm within you. Watching fish casually swim can create the same results.

Pets Keep You More Active

When you take time to play with your dog or cat, dopamine and serotonin are released. These natural chemicals in the body are known as “feel-good” chemicals, which explains why playing tug of war with your dog makes you feel so happy. This same effect takes place when you tease your cat with a stuffed animal, take your dog on a run or participate in other exercises and playful games with your pet.

Pets Don’t Judge

If you just need someone to talk to, but you want to avoid the judging you typically get from your sister or best friend, you can always count on your pet. Whether you’ve got a dog, a cat or a fish, your pet loves you unconditionally. You won’t be told you’re wrong, you won’t be told what to do and old Fido isn’t going to stop being your friend because of the things you tell him. Once you’ve got all your feelings out, that’s sometimes enough of a weight lifted to shake off what was bothering you and get on with your day.

Pets Can Keep You Organized

Sometimes you just need a responsibility to get yourself organized. Disorganization can feel like chaos and quickly turn your mood from good to worse. Having to keep your pet on a schedule is a great way to cure your disorganized blues. You need to feed your pet on time, take him or her out for exercise on a regular basis, make sure you keep up on immunizations and other healthcare, and a variety of other actions that require organization. When you’ve got it all together, you’ll often feel much more relaxed.

Pets Are Good for the Heart

Having someone to love is always good for your heart, which makes you happy, but there are actual physical effects on the heart from owning a pet. CDC studies show by owning and loving a cat or dog, cholesterol and triglycerides are lowered. When those are lower, your risk of heart disease is also lower.

Pets Teach Empathy

Studies show adults who had pets when they were children became more empathetic in their adult life. Having a dog or cat to care for, feed, play with, bathe and otherwise nurture helps to develop those skills in children. As the children grow and develop, those caring skills are taken into adulthood. Empathy is a great skill to have when someone is looking for a fulfilling relationship to make him or her happy.

Pets Make You Laugh

When you adopt a pet, you’ll quickly realize there are some hilarious situations cats, dogs and other types of animals can get themselves into. You’ve probably already seen some memes about animals, but you can experience those hilarious moments for yourself when you adopt a pet. Laughter is the best medicine, right? Spend some time with your pet, laugh a little and see how much better you feel at the end of the day.

Pets Increase Problem-Solving Skills

Because your dog or cat can’t communicate the way your human friends and family members can, you often have to jump through hoops to figure out what their needs are. Does your dog want to go on a walk? Is he cold and wants to hunker down under your blanket? Does he have a tummy ache? Taking care of your pet can increase your problem-solving skills. With the ability to easily solve problems, you may have more success in relationships, at work, at school and in other areas of your life. Those happy feelings you’re looking for may more readily increase when you’re not stressed or stuck in a situation in which you don’t know how to solve.

When it comes to ways you can improve happiness and health, pets have got you taken care of. If you’re not sure what you can commit to right now, try spending some time around animals at a shelter to get a feel for what you’re ready for.