3. Animal Love

For all you students who are dealing with stress and have an animal living with you, you're in luck! Whether you have a cat, dog, bird or fish, studies have shown that owning a pet helps to reduce stress and provides many therapeutic and health benefits (Robinson, 2015). Although owning a pet is time consuming and a big responsibility, the outcomes are unimaginable and worth the effort. Pets can help in changing your daily lifestyle by: increasing your exercise, providing companionship, reducing anxiety, helping to meet new people, adding a routine to your day, and being there for you as a stress reliever. Owning a pet is suited for all ages and studies have proven that petting animals can lower your blood pressure, calm and relax you (by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine), and encourage and motivate you to maintain a healthy lifestyle (Robinson, 2015).

 Pets are also known for helping children with disabilities and aiding in the growth development and learning processes of young kids. Animal therapy has also been introduced as an exceedingly beneficial practice/action for people to take when experiencing or dealing with stress, anxiety or depression. In animal therapy or pet assisted-activities, people are invited to interact with the animals by petting, grooming or playing with them. For students who wish to reduce their levels of stress though, you don't have to pay for trained pets to come to you, or go someplace professional, you can easily relieve yourself by finding your beloved animal and petting him/her. Take the time to cherish the companionship that you've established with your pet(s) and enjoy the sensation of feeling calmer, relaxed and less stressed.

 

What kind of pet do you have and how many? Post a photo of your one-of-a-kind animal and share with us a special moment that you've had with him/her. Feel free to add in how they helped you in a stressful situation and managed to reduce or calm your levels of stress.

 

For more detailed information about animals and their abilities to reduce stress and provide many therapeutic and health benefits, check out the link:

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/the-health-benefits-of-pets.htm.