Pictures of cute animals lift our spirits. Videos of baby animals go viral on the Internet. But nothing compares to having a real animal in your home to help heal.
Pets seem to have a way of knowing when we need some affection–and some dole it out regardless. Our family still talks about our old cat, Puffy, and how he would snuggle up with anyone who was sick or he would cuddle onto the parts with growing pains when we were little girls. Pets don’t just offer comfort; having someone depend on you makes you take some time out of your day to focus on something other than your own feelings.
Also, research suggests that having a pet helps decrease anxiety, increase feelings of well-being, and helps your social skills. Get a pet who needs a daily walk and you’ll be more likely to get some exercise instead of relying on your own willpower.
Who really cares about finding fur on the couch, anyway? A pet is totally worth it.
Source:
Mayo Clinic
