Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A Dog A Day Might Keep The Doctor Away


A household pet can help boost your physical and mental well-being more so than an apple, according to a new study, published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

The researchers state that ordinary people reap rewards from having relationships with their pets. By relationships, they mean positive interaction, communicating, activity and spending quality time with them. Sounds similar to the keys to a healthy human relationship, doesn’t it?

Pet owners benefit more than those who don’t have pets in the following ways:

- they have more self-esteem and are less lonely

- they are more physically fit

- they are more conscientious

- they are less fearful of hurdles in ordinary life

The study also concludes that even though pet owners are very close to their pets, it doesn’t take away from the close relationships they have with key people in their lives.

I’m sure they’re right in most cases, but if you ask me at any given point in the day where else I’d rather be, I’d have to say hanging out with my Oliver.

Article from Barnes Jewish Hospital St Louis

No comments: