The Incredible Benefits of Pets and Plants on Our Health

Looking to change your current mindset when it comes to your health and well-being?  

Keeping the body healthy naturally is a positive way towards building a better lifestyle. While it is a long-term, cumulative process, it is certainly worth the time and effort. Why not consider everyday activities like gardening, exercising, or spending time with loved ones that can improve your mental and physical health?

The Benefits Of Plants

There have been studies that prove that being in an environment rich in plant life will improve your memory and concentration by 20%. Plants generate a calming effect, and performing tasks while calm will increase your concentration. With an increase in your concentration, your memory will also improve.

Keeping potted ornamental plants in the workplace also generates tranquility. The University of Michigan conducted a study on the effects of plants in the home and workplace. The results showed that the potted plants stimulated the senses, which improved mental cognition and performance.

This same study also found that adding flowers to your home and work environment makes an individual feel at ease, safe, and happy. Obviously, feeling this good brings your stress levels down, and naturally work performance goes up.

Potted ornamental plants and extended exposure to nature also increases compassion for others, thus improving relationships between people.

The gardening community can attest that there are numerous therapeutic effects that are gained through gardening. Anyone who has undergone a traumatic disturbance has found that gardening and the act of nurturing a plant or plants creates a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The Benefits of Pets

Those of us who are animal lovers might not understand exactly what is going on inside our hearts when we are petting and loving our dog or cat, or perhaps farm animals you might have as pets. All we know is that we absolutely love these animals! Here are some of the benefits we reap:

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• 15% lower chance of dying from heart disease
• Faster and improved recovery after hospital stay

 

Emotional support dogs have been known to help with those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Here is an interesting fact: Sigmund Freud was among the first to explore animal-assisted therapy. Freud would bring his dog Jofi to therapy sessions to help his patients open up and relax. 

Pet ownership and spending time with animals at any stage in your life has proven to be beneficial. If you don’t believe the data, then spend time volunteering at a local rescue or animal shelter and notice how compassionate, giving, and happy the volunteers are. Better yet, walk those shelter dogs to the park or spend time in a yard teaching him/her tricks. 

You will benefit from the calming effects of both animals and plants. Remember, the magic word “cumulative”  — the longer you practice these health boosting activities, the more you will see the positive results!

Interested in learning more about animal rescue? Here is a great national organization we encourage you to check out: BestFriends.org.