These 15 Reasons Are Why Dogs Are Good For Your Soul
As of August 2024, an incredible 66% of US households have a pet, 44% of which are dogs. As many dog owners know, having a furry companion by your side is one of the best feelings in the world, and research has shown that dogs have great benefits to our mental health.
If you and your dog are inseparable, this list will certainly be relatable. Let’s unveil the 15 reasons why dogs are good for the soul.
1. They Are Loyal
If there is one thing that can be said about dogs, it is that they are loyal. No matter the situation, your dog will always stay loyal to their owner, which boosts our morale.
2. They Encourage You to Get Outside
Even on rainy days, lazy days, or dark winter days, our dogs always encourage us to get outside and get moving. This is a great aspect of dog ownership, allowing us to stay healthy.
3. They Love You Unconditionally
The unconditional love that a dog provides is an instant lift for our mood. Their wagging tails, wide toothy smiles, and perked-up ears are just some of the many signs of unconditional love.
4. Their Presence Reduces Stress
Research has proven that petting a dog helps to lower the stress hormone cortisol. When we have a dog by our side long term, this has incredible benefits for our soul, providing a calm, stress-free environment.
5. You Get Better Sleep
Allowing your dog to sleep in your bed or perhaps in your bedroom has proven to induce a better night’s sleep. It appears that dogs and dog owners help each other to sync sleeping patterns, allowing us to wake up feeling well-rested.
6. They Provide Companionship
Companionship is so important among humans that emotional support dogs have become prominent in today’s society to provide emotional support and combat the feeling of loneliness.
7. They Give You a Purpose
One of the main reasons why dogs are good for the soul is that they give us purpose. Humans need a purpose to thrive, and owning a dog makes you a loved and valued caregiver.
8. They Make You Smile
There are many incredible benefits to smiling, even when you don’t feel like it. Smiling releases endorphins and boosts our mood, which is why having your playful dog around you is so important for your soul.
9. They Encourage Routine
Owning a dog means you need to get used to routines. Your dog will need to relieve itself, be exercised, fed, and socialized at certain times, which gives us a great opportunity to establish a healthy routine for both parties.
10. Dogs Encourage Exploration
Dogs love to explore new surroundings, which encourages us to seek out new places to walk, play, and socialize. Science has shown that changing our environment can impact our mood drastically and keep us alert and excited to see something new.
11. They Stimulate a Healthy Lifestyle
Dog ownership comes with many responsibilities, and one important aspect is exercise. Dogs will need to be exercised daily and this helps to keep us fit and active – they also make great running buddies.
12. Dogs Encourage You to Live in the Moment
One of the top reasons why dogs are good for the soul is that they encourage us to live in the moment. Dogs don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what tomorrow will bring, instead, they enjoy the here and now, which is an important lesson for us all.
13. They Encourage You to Socialize
Let’s face it, we all have days when we would rather curl up by the fire or watch a TV show in the comfort of our own home. But dogs encourage us to get out there and socialize, just as they do. This can be an incredible way to meet other dog owners and form new friendships.
14. Dogs Are Great Listeners
As humans, we oftentimes need to vent and sometimes we may not feel comfortable talking to a fellow human. Our dogs make great listeners, and the best part is, that they won’t interrupt you when you’re talking, allowing you to unload your thoughts.
15. Dogs and Seniors
Research shows that dogs are great for the soul, especially for seniors. One study showed that therapy dogs impacted the cognitive function of those who lived with long-term mental illness, as well as improved social interactions for those suffering from dementia.
