Befriend an Animal

Hustle and bustle seems to be all the rage these days. The popularization of the lifestyle affectionately deemed the “grindset” has led many people to feel stressed about, well, everything. There always seems to be more to do at work, the living space can always be cleaner, the food can always taste better, and so on, and that is really stressful. We have to manage these stress levels somehow.

While there are a plethora of methods to manage stress, I want to focus on one in particular today: animals!

Depending on the type of animal and your level of involvement with it, the effects of befriending an animal can vary. Some people manage their stress by being physically active, so adopting a dog or even dog sitting for others can increase physical activity levels. Else, just watching an animal live its life can be calming. Studies have shown that being around animals decreases cortisol levels, which is a stress-related hormone.

The National Institutes of Health have compiled studies that show a multitude of benefits resulting from animal interaction. In one study, conducted back in 2013, children with ADHD were asked to read to dogs, while some did not (acting as the control group). The results found that the children who had interacted with the dogs had better social skills and fewer behavioral problems.

The benefits of animal interaction don’t end there, but to list them all here would be a futile effort. While interacting with an animal, and especially owning one, may not be the best fit for everyone, it’s worth looking into to try to manage the stress levels of everyday life.

Lucy M.

Undergraduate Intern 2023

If you could use additional help dealing with stress or anxiety and live in Illinois, please contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates at 708-633-8000 to schedule an appointment with a counselor.  In person and telehealth appointments are offered.