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You’ll be less stressed -

Being around animals lowers cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal gland when we are stressed. While it serves a purpose, too much of it, too often, can have a detrimental effect on our health.

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You’ll be less stressed -

Just spending 10 minutes in the company of an animal can reduce your stress levels. And not only does your cortisol level decrease, but a cocktail of feel-good hormones is also released.

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Allergies in children may improve -

If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, you’re probably thinking this wouldn’t be your case. Well, it turns out that people who have these allergies can actually improve by being exposed to pets.

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Allergies in children may improve -

A study found that children who had a dog at home were at a lower risk of developing allergies.

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Allergies in children may improve -

Unlike us, cats and dogs walk on the street without any protection, and they lick themselves. This means that they will bring germs home. Exposure to these germs can actually help build a child’s immune system, especially during the first months of their life, and consequently have an effect on allergic reactions later in life.

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Children's immunity may improve -

Petting animals can actually boost your immune system. Studies have found that children who lived with a dog had higher levels of immune system chemicals.

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Children's immunity may improve -

And this doesn’t just apply to home pets. Farm animals will also boost immunity, with a study showing that infants who grew up in such settings had lower incidences of allergies and asthma.

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You’ll be more active -

While a bird won’t help you exercise more, a dog certainly will! Whether or not you lack the motivation to work out, a dog will leave you no choice but to go out and at least take a walk.

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You’ll be more active -

Being more active brings a number of health benefits. Not surprisingly perhaps, but a study has found that dog owners live a more active lifestyle when compared to those who don’t own a pooch.

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You’ll feel less lonely -

Even if you live on your own, having a pet will certainly help you not feel so lonely.

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You’ll feel less lonely -

And if you have a dog, there is the whole social side of walking your pet. You’ll be exposed to more people and will likely interact with them. In fact, one survey found that 54% of respondents believed their pet helps them connect with other people.

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You’re less likely to be depressed -

Pets can do wonders for mental health. One study found that pet owners were about 41% less depressed when compared to those who didn't own animals.

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You’re less likely to be depressed -

According to clinical psychologist Perpetua Neo, "Animals pick up on when their owners are distressed. When they sense you're not feeling well, they offer comfort."

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Your blood pressure may improve -

Owning a pet can actually lower your blood pressure. So much so that a study found that people with hypertension saw their blood pressure lowering significantly after spending five months with a dog.

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Your blood pressure may improve -

High blood pressure can lead to a number of health issues, including a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. So it's safe to say that a pet really is good for your heart!

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You’ll recover faster -

Recovering from serious health events such as a stroke or a heart attack can be hard. But the good news is that pets can help.

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You’ll recover faster -

A study found that people with dogs had better outcomes after a traumatic heart complication, including a lower chance of death.

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Your body language may improve -

Pets have their own way to communicate with humans, and because they can’t talk, they have to master nonverbal communication. This helps owners be more attuned to nonverbal communication in general.

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Your body language may improve -

Being aware of body language can be very helpful, especially in situations where verbal communication is not an option (for example, in a foreign country where there is a language barrier).

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You’ll get a boost in your your feel-good hormones -

Petting an animal triggers a number of chemical responses in our brains, including the release of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. This will make us feel more connected to our pets.

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You’ll get a boost in your your feel-good hormones -

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is also released. It affects your mood and your happiness, in a positive way.

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Your sleep may improve -

While sleeping with a pet in bed might disturb your sleep, having your furry friend in your bedroom as you sleep can actually have a positive impact on sleep quality.

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Your sleep may improve -

Feeling secure, relaxed, and knowing you’re not alone may contribute to this.

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Your cholesterol levels may improve -

Like blood pressure, your cholesterol might decrease if you own a pet. Chronic high cholesterol levels can lead to a number of health complications and even result in a heart attack or stroke.

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Your cholesterol levels may improve -

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the health benefits of owning a pet include “decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.”

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Your pain may decrease -

Many people suffer from chronic pain. Fortunately, being around a pet can actually help decrease the pain.

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Your pain may decrease -

A study also found that animal-assisted therapy actually decreased the need for pain medication in the post-operative period.

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You may live longer -

Yes, people who own pets have been found to live longer than those who don’t. According to a study, people with dogs actually had a 24% less risk of death, when compared to those who didn’t own one.

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You may live longer -

This doesn’t really come as a surprise, considering all the health benefits mentioned previously!

Sources: (Health Digest) (CDC) (The New York Times) (Psychology Today) (HelpGuide) (Anthrozoös) (Mars) (Advanced Sleep Medicine Services) (Physician's Weekly)

See also: The most important life lessons we learn from our pets

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