How Dogs Improve Mental Health
Mental health can be affected by any number of things. Weather, malnutrition, stress, even sleep all eventually factor into your brain health, but did you know that owning a dog can help with that? Here’s how.
It’s All in Your Brain
Many mental health issues can be traced back to an over or under production of dopamine, serotonin, and other chemicals that elicit feelings of joy or calmness. These chemicals are naturally produced by the brain, but they have to be triggered. For example, the feeling of joy, peace and calmness often gets triggered when you do something you enjoy. Those feelings are caused by oxytocin. The happiness you feel when you step out into the sunlight is caused by serotonin. Unfortunately, depression also comes with the feeling of dread and a heavy inability to do anything, so you end up accidentally depriving yourself of those triggers.
How Do Dogs Help?
Dogs can ultimately serve as a consistent trigger, one that won’t stop just because you can’t get out of bed. Oftentimes, they’re happy just to lay in bed with you. This unfailing companionship can fulfill our basic human need for physical touch, which in turn ignites oxytocin production. That’s why hugs can make us feel better when we’re sad.
Not only that, but dogs can serve as a reason for you to move around. Its more appealing to stay inside when we’re feeling stressed or anxious, but just because we’re feeling sad doesn’t mean dogs don’t need to use the restroom. Letting your dogs out for five minutes exposes us to vitamin D from the sun, which triggers serotonin production. Not only that, but that brisk walk you take your dog on down the street has benefits, too. Exercise has been linked to a tick in endorphins that trigger positive feelings and better self esteem. It also leads to socialization with other dog owners, which can help with the feeling of isolation.
Owning a dog can provide the structure and companionship that you need on your way to mental improvement, but they are by no means a solid alternative to professional help. Dogs require a lot of effort that you may not be able to provide if your feelings are more severe. However, seeking out therapy or other outlets can prepare you more emotionally for the responsibility of a dog.