5 ways pets help us cope in tough times
Animals have been our trusty companions for thousands of years. Research has proven that animals enhance human lives in many ways. They give us unconditional emotional connection and physical contact when we feel starved. They offer undivided attention when no one else listens. We are forced out into the fresh air to move with our pets and they keep us accountable for our actions. Our pets are our best friends and we instinctively turn to them in tough times, like this pandemic that has intruded in our lives.
Here are 5 ways you can lean on your faithful pet during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Snuggle your little buddy.
Whether it’s your pooch, a turtle, a rabbit, or whatever the species, nuzzle up and get your fix. We aren’t supposed to touch other humans right now, but we can still cosy up with our pets. They are physically present and fill the void while most of our relationships have become virtual. Physical contact releases feel-good hormones. Pets have been clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety and ward off depression. Research also shows that patting an animal reduces blood pressure and heart rate. And we all need of bit of that right now.
Chat to your pal.
It does seem like our pets can pick up on how we are feeling. They are great listeners and provide non-judgemental emotional support. This kind of support is priceless at a time when we feel fragile, like during this time of uncertainty in a pandemic. Prattling to your pet can defeat the potentially devastating effects of loneliness and make you feel like you are sharing your experience. Talking aloud can also help you work through stressful thoughts. So, babble away!
Catch up with like-minded pet owners online.
Handle stress with humour. Our pets do the funniest things and can give us a real belly laugh. Therapy for the soul. Post funny pics and footage online and share some deep laughter with other animal lovers. New friendships and a sense of connectedness are very welcome at a time like this. And what better way to do that than through our closest companions.
Get outdoors for a daily walk.
Your pet doesn’t even need legs. On a leash, on a shoulder, in a pram…it doesn’t matter how. Get out for regular fresh air and exercise. It will clear your head and quieten your thoughts. You might even slow down enough to notice the smell of the bush and hear the birds chirping overhead. Perhaps for the first time in a while. And your pet will be eternally grateful for your efforts. It’s also nice while out to greet other people with a smile from a distance and remember that we really are all in this together.
Stick to reliable routines.
Keeping some regularity in your life can help preserve a sense of normalcy in otherwise very weird times. Scheduled exercise, feeding time, play time, business in the back yard time…your pet still expects things to happen in the same order as before The Virus. Keeping this order for your pet may feel strangely calming to you as well. Pets don’t know that life has changed. They still need fresh air and exercise. They still need a routine and experience uninhibited joy moment by moment. Embrace it.
Natasha and Don, Ringwood Vet Clinic clients
Natasha, a Ringwood Vet Clinic regular, is grateful to be sharing life in the time of COVID-19 with Don, her Collie cross.
‘Don can't tell that there is a horrible virus out there, as it is something we can't see, smell or feel, but he can tell that he gets more time with me working from home than he has ever had and is happier. He calms me with how content he can be just with companionship and reassurance that I am home.’
This pandemic is reminding us to truly value our loyal animal friends. They enrich our lives and save us from ourselves in desperate times. Animals really are humanity’s best friends. Hopefully, soon enough, our lives will return to normal. In the meantime, remember to treat your pet with the care, kindness and gratitude they deserve. They will lap it up.
How is your pet helping you cope with the stress and isolation of living through a pandemic?