They come in all shapes and sizes, are loyal, work for us, and even save lives. We get a lot from our “best friend”–dogs. And now they are being used in new ways to help us manage stress.
Here are some ways they help us:
- Get us into the moment: Whether it is actively playing or simply nudging us for a bit of affection, dogs get us into the here and now. We shift our focus from ourselves to the outside world, helping to break the cycle of internal worry and excessive self-focus.
- Unconditional love: Their love is unconditional. No judgment here. Dogs are happy to see us on a good or bad day. Whether we are beautifully coiffed or in domestic disarray. Tail wagging, eyes fixed on us, seeking to connect, dogs beckon us, making us feel accepted and welcomed.
- Points of social interaction: Dogs are a bridge to the social world. Take your dog for a walk, and suddenly you are meeting other dogs and their people. A conversation can strike up as the dogs check each other out. There is an easy topic of shared experience and interest to chat about.
- Get us to move: It may be hard to make it to the gym or out for a daily walk, but like an insistent friend, dogs can get us out the door and into the world. They help us engage in one of the biggest stress/anxiety busters: exercise.
- Can quickly sense our stress: Quickly catching stress and bringing it down before it is overwhelming is a key component of stress management. With their keen noses dogs can actually smell cortisol (our body’s stress hormone). They are now being trained to respond to this marker of stress, and engage in ways to help with relaxation.
- Help us feel needed: Anxiety and depression can damage self worth and confidence. Feeling that we are and valued is one way to help battle damaging thoughts and feelings that undermine our self worth. Dogs need us and they let us know it, with attention seeking, and positive behaviors when we interact. Who hasn’t put down work and played fetch or tug of war when their dog appears, toy in mouth and pleading eyes.
Below are links for more information on how dogs can help us manage stress and anxiety
8 Awesome Ways High Schools are Helping Students Unplug and Recharge fro Stress
Schools Try Dogs, Recess to Help Stressed Teens
Dogs: A Medicine for Mental Health Problems
For Law Students with Everything, Dog Therapy for Stress
Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership