Pets Love You Just The Way You Are.. Article Summary

It has been a really bad day. As you put the key in the door, you cannot help but think about just how hectic the last 8 hours have been—and the day’s not over yet because you had to bring work home with you. Everything is about to change, though, because just as the lock clicks and you walk in, you see your personal four-legged stress reliever standing in front of you, his entire back side wagging with excitement to see you. How can you feel stressed now? It is virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood with an enthusiastic greeting like that. Studies show pets are a calming influence
As a New Practitioner, the level of stress that accompanies your new professional obligations can be almost unbearable at times. Everyone needs an outlet for work-related stress, and your canine or feline companion can be a great outlet for releasing some of that tension. Research has shown that interaction with a Pet can calm both your physical and mental states. Many people find it easier to relax when animals are present. According to the Delta Society, an organization that performs research into the importance of animals to the lives and well-being of humans, one of the main reasons for the success of pet therapy is merely close proximity to animals by people who can benefit from it. A study at the University of Minnesota found that even gerbils, birds, and fish calmed study subjects. Some of the benefits correlated with having a pet include lower blood pressure, decreased heart rate,
better psychological health, fewer health problems, and lower medication costs. A University of Buffalo study also showed that dogs and cats controlled stress-related spikes in blood pressure in a group of New York City stock brokers better than ACE inhibitors. Pets are great therapists, too. Interaction with dogs is both preventive and therapeutic for everyday stress. Take some time to walk your dog around the neighborhood when you get home after a hectic day. You may find that you don’t even remember what happened at work after that walk. Plus, you have also taken some time to improve your own cardiovascular health. And who could possibly be a better listener than one who can’t talk back? Try venting about
the day’s problems with your pet. After all, they won’t judge you! A colleague while working at home
If the list of your responsibilities is longer than the time you have to complete them at work, forcing you to bring work home with you, look to your furry
friend to help you through it. Incorporate time with your pet into your work, minimizing the stress caused by working at home. You don’t absolutely have to be in a professional setting to get professional work done, and you may find that your mind is stimulated by the entertainment provided by your pet. Interaction with animals brightens the atmosphere, so writing articles—like this one—may seem less like work. You can also use the amusing antics of
your dog to get your creative juices flowing, making it easier to write. Try taking your laptop outside onto the porch swing while your dog chases lizards in the flower bed. If it’s quiet peace that you are after, curl up on the couch with that spreadsheet full of study data while your cat keeps your feet warm. You will be in a much more relaxed frame of mind as you sort through the figures. Paraphrasing Billy Joel
In the unpredictable world of a New Practitioner, you are always trying to prove yourself. Pets accept you just the way you are. No matter how bad your day has been or how you have reacted to the people you have encountered, your pet has a way of accepting you without qualification. Pets will not rush you to complete any tasks for the rest of the day—well, aside from filling that food bowl. Thanks to my unconditionally devoted four-legged friend, it has been a great year on the Transitions Editorial Advisory Board!

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