It’s estimated that one out of five Americans struggle with mental health issues. If you struggle with one or more of these types of conditions there are plenty of treatment options available.
Typically a doctor will recommend a combination of therapy and medications. However, in addition to these, there are other things people can do to improve their mental health.
Notably, you can hang out with animals. The reality is that one of the biggest benefits of animals is the effect they have on our mental state. So exactly what are animals and pets good for our mental health?
In this guide, we’ll explore the answer to this question so you can improve your mental health today.
What Are the Benefits of Animals on Mental Health?
The simple act of petting an animal can help significantly lower levels of stress and anxiety. What’s more, many pets can provide a sense of unconditional love and support.
This is especially true for dogs. Loneliness can wreak havoc on a person’s mental health. However, animals can offer a sense of companionship that combats this. Lastly, they can add some structure to your day.
Often people with depression have trouble doing anything over a day. An animal can be a good excuse to get out of bed. Not only do you need to feed it, but you can take it outside for walks which also improves your overall mental health.
Plus, emotional support animals can be a great way to meet new people. It’s common for pet owners to stop each other on the street. A sense of community can go a long way toward improving an individual’s mental health.
Is a Pet Right for You?
Pets can improve a person’s mental wellness. Unfortunately, they’re not always conducive to every living situation. When looking for a pet you need to consider things like how much space you have for the animal.
Also, think about how much time you have to spend with it. There are also financial considerations. If you aren’t sure whether or not it’s for you, consider fostering a support animal to see how it goes.
How Are Animals Used in Therapy?
If you can’t have a pet for one reason or another, consider looking into animal assisted therapy for teens. In this case, you get to spend time with alpacas to learn more about self-acceptance and non-verbal communication.
However, there are plenty of programs that utilize a wide array of animals. So if you have a specific animal that you want to spend time with in therapy, explore some of the options around where you live.
Appreciate Learning About the Benefit of Animals? Keep Exploring
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the benefits of animals on mental health. While pets and animals might not be for everyone they can bring a huge change in the mental health of those drawn to them.
So consider adopting one or signing up for some animal therapy today. Want more mental health content? We have plenty of similar topics that can help improve your outlook if you read them now.
