Pets come with some powerful mental health benefits.
Many studies have shown that pets (especially dogs) can help with numerous issues ranging from depression, PTSD to addictions and loneliness.
Dogs can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health. For example, people with dogs have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease—just playing with dogs has been shown to elevate oxytocin and dopamine, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.
For someone living with depression, there is so much to gain from having a dog.
For me my dogs give me a reason to get out of bed, they are there to keep me company on the bad days when I’m stuck in bed in pain, they cheer me up, they give me structure and purpose and something to look after and they help me feel calm and grounded when they are next to me- when I have one of my dogs in bed with me I feel so calm and relaxed, my brain switches off and I sleep so much better.
I love my girls! 🐶🐶🐕🐕
The gal chasing the green dream with chronic illnesses 
I would be a complete mess without my guinea pigs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too without my dogs and rats! Xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I did not have my dogs during my worst days I would have killed myself. Simple truth. As You say Faye, they give a reason to get up and add semblance of structure in my life too. They are adaptable but would prefer it if I kept a regular routine. The gift of animals in our lives that we can snuggle with and laugh have fun and just companionship is so important to my mental wellbeing
LikeLike