Anita considers how we can enrich our lives by connecting with an animal.
Animals are a valuable gift in our lives. Allowing one into your space can be fulfilling in so many ways. They bring people together and ease loneliness, whether that be through a topic of conversation whilst out on a dog walk or connection via a social media group that unites like-minded people.
There will be a pet that’ll suit just about anyone, whether that be a dog, cat or something more exotic like a lizard or spider; they all have something unique to offer.
There is a huge amount of evidence to prove pets improve our health. They decrease stress and increase feel-good chemicals like oxytocin. Stroking a cat whilst listening to their purr or laughing at your dog as it chases leaves in the park means that our pet friends are great time wasters that provide huge enjoyment, helping regulate our emotions.
We learn so much from our pet companions. Whether that be looking at how to completely relax with snuggles on the sofa or learning through free play how to be at one with ourselves.
Structure is a necessity for good mental health. The absence of structure can lead to feelings of overwhelm, so having something that relies on you can often be the very thing that gets you out of bed in the morning. Routine and taking responsibility are a great benefit when it comes to gaining control of our lives.
If for whatever reason you are unable to own the pet of your choice, there are now so many options in order to get your fix! Money is often the biggest obstacle that many people have when it comes to pet ownership. That along with working, might prevent you from being in a position to own an animal. You might not have continued strong mental health in order to look after a pet full-time. Therefore, borrowing a friend’s canine or offering yourself for dog walks can be the perfect solution and a good way of filling that void. House sitting is a new way in which some people are getting to spend quality time with animals and have the added benefit of getting to see new places!
