Surprising Health Benefits of Owning a Pet: Insights by One of the Retirement Communities in India

June 10, 2021

There is nothing like the joy of having a pet, be it a dog, a cat or a bird. They show you affection, make you laugh and comfort you when you are sick. No matter what, pets are always a source of joy that can help keep the feeling of isolation at bay. We share with you a few insights on the surprising health benefits of owning a pet:

A healthy heart: One of the many benefits of having a pet is lower blood pressure which is good for your cardiovascular health. Several studies suggest that those who own dogs have a lower blood pressure than non-owners. This could be because pets help their owners to calm down. Moreover, dog owners tend to get more exercise than people who don’t have dogs. According to a study, owning a dog reduced the risk of death for heart attack and stroke survivors.
A healthy weight: All breeds of dog need regular and daily walks to stay happy and healthy. Therefore, a study has found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog. Dog walking may be a good way for seniors to stay active and maintain their overall health.
Keep stress at bay: Petting your cat or dog feels good. Playing with your pet or just cuddling them can have soothing effects on your mind. Interacting with pets help decrease levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and lower blood pressure. By providing you company and love, pets help you keep anxiety, depression and stress at bay.
Keep you socially connected: Pets are social magnets. They provide their owners with more than companionship. They help create human-to-human friendships and social support, both of which are good for long-term health. Whether you are walking them down the street or taking them to a veterinarian, pets help you connect with other people. Walking a pet leads to routine conversations with neighbours, other pet walkers or even strangers. Having a pet is a great way to meet new people and this can be helpful for those who are not too good at small talk.

If you are looking for independent senior living apartments, explore our retirement communities in India that offer you a worry-free lifestyle so that you have more time to spend your golden years doing things you enjoy the most.

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