> regular walking can decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
> people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter => BP declined significantly within 5 months.
> alleviates stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression.
> petting a dog lowers BP, slows breathing, relaxes muscles, and reduces cortisol (stress hormone).
> sharing bacteria with your dog can prevent allergies and asthma, and strengthen your immune system.
> owners spend nearly 300 mins/week walking- that’s 200 mins more than people without dogs!
> staring into your dog’s eyes raises your level of oxytocin and boosts your mood.
> playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
> heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
> pet owners over age 65 make 30% fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
I love this post! And agree with all of the above. Plus the fact, they make you laugh on a regular basis.