Dog has been man’s best friend throughout history and, in difficult times like these, this relationship could be particularly helpful and in more ways than one. With many people making the switch to WFH and spending much more time at home than normal, owning a dog could be a real blessing and help people to cope during this challenging time.
Survey revealed the impact of pets on stress
The National Accident Helpline recently carried out a poll of 2,000 Brits, which revealed that a whopping 87% of pet-owners agreed that a pet helped them to de-stress during difficult moments with just 2% claiming that their pet had no calming influence. The founder of psychology website Psychreg Dennis Relojo- Howell explained:
“Research have shown that pets, especially dogs and cats, can help us adapt to stressful events. Take for instance, the current crisis that we’re going through – if you have a pet, this can provide you with an opportunity to relax and calm your mind. Our interactions with our pets can soften the effects of adverse events and can decrease our stress.”
Most comforting breeds
The survey also looked at which breed of dog was found to be the most comforting. The results were not entirely surprising, with the following making the top 5:
- Labrador Retriever
- Cockapoo
- Spring Spaniel
- Boxer
- Cocker Spaniel
Other Benefits
In addition to being a great source of comfort during trying times, a dog could be helpful in a few other ways right now too. A dog gives people a reason to leave the house and walk every day, which is incredibly important in the current situation in order to exercise, get fresh air, be surrounded by nature and avoid cabin fever. It can be very easy to become isolated and neglect exercise in the current situation, but with a dog you will benefit both physically and mentally which should improve your mood, productivity, and focus.
Helpful but distracting
While man’s best friend can certainly help in times like this, that is not to say that it is all benefits. 69% of respondents also stated that they found their pets to be an ongoing distraction, which is obviously problematic when people are trying to work from home. Interestingly, it is the younger generation that struggle with this the least with 59% of 18-24-year-olds being distracted compared to 82% of 45-54-year-olds.
The human relationship with dogs has always been strong, but in difficult times like this, it can be particularly valuable, and many people are benefiting greatly from having a furry friend at home.
