How Dogs Help Your Health

Caring for a dog is a big commitment but it could have big perks as you’re working to pull your life and health back together. 

In fact, these furry friends (along with cats, horses and other creatures) have been long-known to comfort people through rehab and beyond. Many addiction centers and sober living communities are incorporating pets into the treatment environment in a variety of ways.

There’s nothing like a man's best friend to provide companionship and unconditional love. And pets can offer even more: Studies point to numerous mental, emotional, physical, and social benefits of owning a pet. Here are a few:

1. You’ll make more friends. When you’re out walking your dog, your bound to meet people, especially other dog owners. Face it: Without a pet, you’d likely have no reason to engage with one another. 
2. You’ll feel more confident. Studies have found that pet owners have more self-esteem and social reliance. What’s more, having a pet can help you rebound quicker from negativity.
3. You’ll be calmer and happier. Owning a pet has been linked with less tension and better mood, helping you to avoid some of the biggest predictors of relapse: stress and depression.
4. You’ll boost our overall health. Owning a pet has been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate and less pain. 
5. You’ll fit in fitness. Studies have found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were more physically active than those who didn’t own or walk a dog. And not only are dog walkers getting more exercise, they're getting better quality exercise (walking faster and longer), than those who exercise on their own, according to one study. 

Staying Active in Santa Monica

At Haus Recovery, we encourage our clients to get moving to feel better, ward off stress and feed the soul. From a sunset hike to horseback riding, we organize group activities and outings to help residence stay active. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.