Pets with health and happiness benefits

July 12, 2011

Pets make us happier and healthier as shown in some new research published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Past studies have focused largely on how pets can help those with health challenges, but it turns out for us “everyday people” (ie. not dealing with health issues) pets can benefit our well-being (also note that this study showed pets help cause this boost in well-being rather than simply showing there is a link between the two). Some of the findings of how pet owners differ than non-pet owners? We:

• have greater self-esteem
• are fitter
• are generally less lonely
• are more conscientious
• are more extraverted
• are less fearful
• and less pre-occupied

(and these health benefits are what I’ll try to remind myself every morning when that furry one above is waking me up at 5AM. Yes, every morning.).

 

Filed under: Swellbeing

Tags: cats, dogs, happiness, pets, well-being