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How Your Pet Can Help Fight Depression
Those who suffer from clinical depression know the empty feeling
of being alone at home. Even when people are around, they can
still feel lonely or unvalued. Even people who aren't clinically
depressed but who experience occasional down times may sometimes
have difficulty sharing feelings with family members or friends.
Research shows that keeping a family pet, one that you can
cuddle and talk to, can have a positive effect on those
struggling with depression. It doesn't matter whether the person
is married or has children; a cat or dog, in particular, can
help to smooth away negative emotions that keep him or her in
the doldrums. Here are some tips for enjoying your pet during
those difficult times.
1. Set aside some playtime. A pet can meet a variety of needs,
depending on how a person is feeling on a given day. If you're
buoyant, but have no one to share it with, take the dog outside
and toss a ball around, letting your pup bring it back after
each throw. The two of you can take a neighborhood walk or head
off to the park for a hike, too. Sharing physical activity and
fresh air can help to sweep away those mental cobwebs. Even if
you're feeling disappointed, angry, or hurt, exercising can help
you feel better.
2. Enjoy a cuddle. Sometimes everyone can use a hug. Sit beside
your pooch or kitty on the floor or sofa, and stroke your pet's
fur while reflecting on the things that make you happy. Research
shows that cuddling a pet can lower blood pressure and stimulate
immune function while releasing endorphins to help your body and
mood feel better.
3. Talk away. You can share any secret
or describe any emotions
you want to without fear of your pet's breaching the confidence.
Just make sure no one else is in hearing distance, and spill
your heart's woes. Your pet will most likely be able to sense
your need for affection and understanding and be willing to
provide those things. You'll feel better getting unpleasant
things out of your system.
4. Never take out negative emotions on your pet. Kicking,
pushing, yelling, or otherwise hurting an animal is never right,
even if it would make you feel better. In fact, if such behavior
does improve your mood, something is drastically wrong. Be
sensitive to your cat or dog's needs for patience and
understanding, too.
5. Have realistic expectations. Don't assume that your pet will
be able to take the place of a human confidante or a
professional counselor. Cultivate friendships with people you
can trust, although this will take time. If your depression is
deep, or lasts more than a week or two, make an appointment with
a therapist to discuss possible underlying causes.
Pet therapy is just one of the many ways that depression
patients can learn to manage their symptoms while under a
physician's or psychologist's care. If you are unable to care
for a pet properly due to your job schedule or living
conditions, don't keep one that will suffer because of these
constraints. Instead, look for other ways to manage depression
symptoms with the support of professional experts.
About the author:
For more information on how your pet can help fight depression,
Visit The Depression
Organization
Written By: Charles Kassotis