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Want to Relieve Stress? Try Playing with Your Pet for Ten Minutes

By: MerxWire

August 22, 2024 at 07:26 AM EDT

The simple act of petting an animal can immediately provide relaxation and comfort. Research indicates that interacting with cats and dogs for just ten minutes can help alleviate some stress, offering a straightforward and accessible way for individuals to take control of their stress levels.

Petting an animal evokes an innate sense of closeness and is scientifically proven to reduce stress. (Photo via Pixabay.com)

Miami, FL (Merxwire) – Stress has become a part of modern living in today’s fast-paced life. Studies show that stress triggers physiological responses, particularly increased cortisol levels, negatively impacting mental and physical health. However, recent research reveals that petting animals for just ten minutes can significantly lower cortisol levels, offering a simple and effective way to reduce stress for modern individuals.

According to a study conducted by Washington State University, petting pets can lower cortisol levels. A lower cortisol level corresponds to reduced stress, and this study demonstrates that interacting with animals can quickly relieve students’ anxiety. The study was published in AERA Open, the American Educational Research Association journal.

This study involved 249 college students randomly divided into four groups, all receiving different levels of animal interaction within ten minutes. The first group had the opportunity to interact directly with cats and dogs, allowing them to pet and play with these animals for ten minutes. The second group waited in line for ten minutes but could only watch other students interact with the animals. The third group viewed a slideshow focused on animals, and the fourth group was placed on a waiting list, expecting interaction, but ultimately did not participate. The randomization of the groups and the use of a control group (the fourth group) help ensure the reliability of the study’s findings.

Researchers collected saliva samples from each participant three times during the experiment: upon waking in the morning, 15 minutes after the experiment, and 25 minutes after. Cortisol levels in the saliva were used as a measure of stress. The results showed that participants who played and directly interacted with cats and dogs experienced a significant drop in saliva cortisol levels, notably lower than those in other groups. In contrast, participants who only watched others interact with the animals or had no contact with animals showed less change in cortisol levels. However, it’s important to note that this study was conducted on college students, and the results may not directly apply to other age groups or populations.

Professor Patricia Pendry, who led the study, stated that the findings demonstrate that even just ten minutes of petting animals is enough to have a noticeable impact on the body’s stress levels. This result holds significant implications for promoting animal-assisted therapy, particularly for individuals working in high-stress environments, such as healthcare workers, students, and urban residents. For healthcare workers, it could mean a simple and effective way to manage their stress during long shifts. For students, it could be a quick stress reliever during exam periods. For urban residents, it could provide a moment of calm in their busy lives, instilling hope for practical solutions to stress management.

As society becomes more aware of mental health issues, the potential of animal-assisted therapy is increasingly being appreciated. (Photo via Pixabay.com)

Two-thirds of American households and nearly half of elderly individuals own pets. According to research, 74% of pet owners report an improvement in their mental health. Interaction with animals increases oxytocin levels, a hormone that helps calm the stress response system and lowers stress levels. Oxytocin aids in relaxing the stress system and helps lower stress levels.

The stress-reducing effects of petting animals have garnered attention, and indeed, animal-assisted therapy is already widely used in various fields, including psychotherapy, rehabilitation, and elderly care. Many hospitals and nursing homes have introduced animal-assisted therapy to help patients alleviate pain and reduce anxiety, reassuring the audience about the proven effectiveness of this method.

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Want to Relieve Stress? Try Playing with Your Pet for Ten Minutes

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