10 Ways Pets Help Manage Loneliness & Depression

My husband and I have recently moved to a new city for his job. We traded in beautiful Southern Oregon for the equally beautiful Central Oregon Coast.  Not only do I love living by the ocean, but I’ve been lucky enough to meet some great musicians and start a band! In a few short months, I’m already singing at local venues. Also, I can walk to the beach, and I get to be a stay at home cat (and rabbit) mom. I spend my days blogging, and I get to write stories all day.  On my husband’s days off we enjoy exploring nearby towns and beaches. It has all been wonderful!  We’ve been fortunate, and I am very grateful.  However, as crazy as it sounds, some days I really miss Southern Oregon. I just do!

Anybody who has been through a big move will relate.  I long for my former job, friends, and my family. I miss the familiar. Reinventing myself in my late thirties can feel exhausting on days.  And because of that, I  feel so homesick sometimes.  In fact, this isn’t new, homesickness has always been a part of my life.

Living far from family is not new for me. I moved away to college, traveled a bit, and even lived in exciting cities such as Prague and New York.  While they were all great adventures; waves of homesickness always haunted me.  And unfortunately, with that homesickness, depression would always set in.  And once again, for whatever reason some days I find myself fighting that depression and anxiety that comes with such a big change.

A wise person once said, “If you’re not struggling, you’re not growing”.  Yes, that is true. But it still doesn’t mean that it doesn’t suck!  And I know I’m probably not the only one who feels this way.  Depression and anxiety are serious issues for many Americans.

And I should clarify!  In my case, when I say depression, I don’t mean the kind of depression that paralyzes people into such a dark place where they feel hopeless. For that kind of depression, medication and counseling are always available; and certainly, a wise avenue to consider.  For me, though, it’s just more of a bad case of worrisome blues that unfortunately take some time to shake off.  Thankfully, I have a good husband, my music, books, a family just a phone call away, and my pets!

My Pets! They are the reason I’m writing about this topic in the first place.  Since it’s been a struggle lately, I can’t express how much my pets have helped me.  Since my husband is a firefighter, I spend many days alone.  As you can guess, being new to an area, that can be difficult at times.  But it’s hard to walk in the door and keep a frown on my face when my cat is at the top of the stairs ready to head butt my face! Or my bunny runs up to me and starts kissing my hand.  Life definitely feels warmer in those moments.

Since my pets bring me so much comfort on my dark days, it got me thinking.  Do pets help other people through their depression as much as they help me?  And if they do, in what ways can people benefit the most from them?

After some research, I’ve come up with 10 ways in which I feel pets help manage depression and anxiety in humans.

#1: Pets Help us Find Meaning and Joy in Life- Everyone needs to love and be loved. Pets fill that basic human need that resides in all of us. Statistically, pets boost your morale, and overall, pet owners have greater self-confidence. These are definitely needed if you are going through any big changes in your life.

# 2: Reduce Anxiety-Pets can help you become more mindful and appreciate the joy of the present. For me, when I’m sitting on the couch and my cat is snuggled up next to me, it can really help calm my mind and clear those anxious thoughts.

# 3: Companionship-I lived alone for six years.  When I finally adopted my cat in 2015, her presence filled my home and blocked out my loneliness. After a few days of Grizzabella, all I could think was, “Why didn’t I adopt a cat sooner?”  I can attest to the fact that she has filled a void, and on those nights when my husband is away, she is a cozy, loving friend and companion-100%

# 4: Unconditional Love and Acceptance-No judgments, critiques, grudges, or unwanted advice! That’s all I have to say about that!

# 5: A Soothing Presence-With this little guy hanging out, it makes it difficult to stay edgy or angry!

# 6: Pets Distract-Pets need daily care and attention.  That can serve as a healthy distraction during times of trial.  No matter what is going on, you have to get out of bed and take care of your little loves. You have to feed them, take them for walks, clean their cages, and clean their poop.

A wise person also said, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Pets help you laugh.  Just today I watched Grizzabella jump off my lap and go crazy for a fly buzzing around the living room.  It was the first laugh I had during the day, and guess what? I felt a little bit better.

# 7: Pets Promote Touch-Touch is another basic human need. Petting and hugging our pets can be very fulfilling.  A University of Virginia study showed that a 45-minute massage decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Hugging produces oxytocin, which lowers stress and blood pressure. Pets promote health, which promotes happiness!

# 8: Make Us Responsible-Taking care of our furry babies brings structure to our day. Several studies show that we need some kind of structure in order to feel calm and happy.  It makes sense! Getting up in the morning and starting the day taking care of a task such as your pets, starts the day with a win! Everyone feels a little better when they win the productivity category!

# 9: Increase Exercise-I once heard a nutritionist say, “Everyone needs to walk their dog once a day whether they have a dog or not.”  Her point was, that everyone needs to get outside and walk for 30 minutes a day for their emotional and physical well-being.  Add a real dog to the mix? Even happier!!

# 10: Boost Your Mood and Overall Health-There have been studies done that show elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine in people within five months after adopting a dog.  Higher levels of serotonin and dopamine calm and relax us. Feeling calmer will help ease the pain of depression and stress.  Reducing stress hormones will increase health and happiness!

I’m not an expert, but I strongly suggest a pet for anyone of you struggling with depression.  There is an innocence and dearness in animals that we just can’t find in humans. I understand if financial or current living circumstances are in the way. Timing is important; I believe that.  Even when you long for a furry love; you need to know you can care for it. So my advice is to hold that wish in your heart. As a dear friend once told me, “Put it out there in the universe.” So put it out there, and when the time is right you will find your perfect new furry family member. And I believe that those dear pets will comfort you in your time of darkness and loneliness.

P.S. Sometimes I struggle with words. When that happens I turn to music. This song explains it all. It is from the Broadway musical Lucky Stiff entitled “Times Like This”.  Click on this link: Times Like This

Sources:

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/6-ways-pets-relieve-depression/