The next 7 tips are related to pets and how much they can improve your health and life.
I have a dachshund/yorky mix, so unscientifically agree with research findings.
1. Older people – get a pet. A study demonstrated that older people who had pets experienced better overall physical and mental health than those who didn't own animals.
2. Nursing homes - get pets. A study found lower mortality rates at a nursing home that kept lots of animals around.
3. Children - ask your parents for a pet. A study in a psychology journal found that children with pets had higher self-esteem and empathy than other children.
4. Pediatricians - get a dog. Putting a dog in the room where a child is having a physical exam can lower the child's heart rate, blood pressure and distress.
5. Men - get a pet. In an Australian study, men with pets had lower blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels than men who didn't own pets.
6. Under stress - get a pet. A study has shown that providing stockbrokers with dogs and cats in the doctor’s examining room, lowered their heart rate, blood pressure and distress.
7. At risk for heart disease? - Get a dog. A recent study found that dog owners are more likely than people without pets to survive heart attacks.
I plan to have my dog around for a long time. Maybe that's what you need!
