We are living in a world where a lot of people are struggling with mental health conditions. Some of these challenges have occurred due to the constant stressors in people’s day-to-day lives. Others have been caused by the political divides that have resulted in instability, not to mention the recent pandemic that brought the entire world to a standstill.
COVID-19 has been a large contributor to many mental health challenges as it has left many people lonely, scared and sad due to the loss of their sources of income and loved ones. Due to these reasons, individuals have resulted to seeking help from mental health professionals. Emotional support animals (ESAs), in this case, come in as part of the therapeutic treatment for those affected with mental health disabilities.
These are mostly cats, dogs and ferrets. The benefits of emotional support animals revolve around helping individuals manage mental health issues like depression, panic attacks, anxiety and trauma. So how does that happen? In this article, we delve into exploring the life-changing benefits of ESAs.
ESAs Help Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is an intense feeling of fear or persistent worry. It can be severe or mild based on different factors. Having a support animal helps reduce anxiety by boosting your spirit and reducing the feeling of loneliness.
ESA can detect when you have anxiety, which makes them come up with ways of distracting you. They may choose to lick your face to get you to interact with them. Their goal is to strengthen the human-animal bond between you and them to ensure you remain calm. Such a bond lowers your blood pressure and reduces your stress hormones.
They Provide Companionship
A companion animal is any support animal you consider family because you share your life and home with them. In most cases, living with an emotional support animal requires you to ensure there are documents to grant you legal shielding.
When living with these animals, you get to hug, stroke or touch them frequently. Such acts can rapidly give you a soothing effect and calm you down whenever you feel anxious and stressed.
You don’t feel lonely when you are in the company of a dog or a cat. You get to boost your spirit and ease the feeling of depression. Also, as you live with your pet, you must ensure it is clean, can access something to eat, and has clean water.
Such acts of care can keep you from drowning in stress and depression. When you treat an ESA this way, they reciprocate by giving you natural and unconditional love, which is a life-changing experience.
Esas Provide Sensory Stress Relief
As an individual with mental health challenges, you may find yourself struggling with mental tension or worry due to the difficulties in life. You may be going through grief or rage. An emotional support animal can come in handy in helping you get rid of the stress. Cats and dogs have an innate ability to sense the emotional state of their owner.
When they stay close to you even without doing anything, their presence creates a calming effect and reduces your anxiety levels. You also get tactile comfort when cuddling and petting with your furry friend. That stimulates your body to release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
ESAs are also good at encouraging mindfulness. When you are able to redirect your attention from the stress and focus on playing with your furry companion, you get to conquer stress.
Esas Give You the Meaning of Joy in Life
Emotional support animals, especially dogs, have a way of teaching you the true meaning of living a peaceful, mindful and joyful life. They teach you how to face struggles and challenges in life. When you interact with an ESA, your brain begins to produce a hormone called oxytocin, also known as the cuddle chemical.
It has a way of increasing feelings of relaxation, empathy, and trust. If you have ever cuddled with a dog, you understand the warm and fuzzy feeling you received. When you reduce stress and anxiety, the feeling of peace, mindfulness and joy sets in.
Esas Make You More Active
It is important for individuals struggling with mental health conditions to embrace being active. Apart from helping you to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, being active is one of the best ways to deal with mental health issues. ESAs can motivate you to engage in outdoor activities like runs, walks, or hikes. When you exercise regularly through the mentioned activities, you get to elevate your mood and reduce stress.
When taking your ESA out for a walk, you get an opportunity for social interaction. It helps you connect with other pet owners around your neighbourhood. Sometimes, you may get a chance to go for outdoor activities with other pet owners where your pets are allowed. Such activities can foster a sense of community where you no longer feel isolated and lonely.
Living with a pet requires you to ensure that they exercise to improve their physical health. When taking them out for physical exercise, you also get motivated to prioritize your own physical health. Knowing your ESA depends on you for care and exercise can be your biggest motivator to become more active. That way, you create an outlet for stress relief.
ESAs: Exploring the Life-Changing Benefits of Support Animals”
We are living in a world where a lot of people are struggling with mental health conditions. Some of these challenges have occurred due to the constant stressors in people’s day-to-day lives. Others have been caused by the political divides that have resulted in instability, not to mention the recent pandemic that brought the entire world to a standstill.
COVID-19 has been a large contributor to many mental health challenges as it has left many people lonely, scared and sad due to the loss of their sources of income and loved ones. Due to these reasons, individuals have resulted to seeking help from mental health professionals.
Emotional support animals (ESAs), in this case, come in as part of the therapeutic treatment for those affected with mental health disabilities. These are mostly cats, dogs and ferrets.
The benefits of Emotional Support Animals revolve around helping individuals manage mental health issues like depression, panic attacks, anxiety and trauma. So how does that happen? In this article, we delve into exploring the life-changing benefits of ESAs.
ESAs Help Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is an intense feeling of fear or persistent worry. It can be severe or mild based on different factors. Having a support animal helps reduce anxiety by boosting your spirit and reducing the feeling of loneliness. ESA can detect when you have anxiety, which makes them come up with ways of distracting you.
They may choose to lick your face to get you to interact with them. Their goal is to strengthen the human-animal bond between you and them to ensure you remain calm. Such a bond lowers your blood pressure and reduces your stress hormones.
They Provide Companionship
A companion animal is any support animal you consider family because you share your life and home with them. In most cases, living with an emotional support animal requires you to ensure there are documents to grant you legal shielding.
When living with these animals, you get to hug, stroke or touch them frequently. Such acts can rapidly give you a soothing effect and calm you down whenever you feel anxious and stressed.
You don’t feel lonely when you are in the company of a dog or a cat. You get to boost your spirit and ease the feeling of depression. Also, as you live with your pet, you must ensure it is clean, can access something to eat, and has clean water.
Such acts of care can keep you from drowning in stress and depression. When you treat an ESA this way, they reciprocate by giving you natural and unconditional love, which is a life-changing experience.
Esas Provide Sensory Stress Relief
As an individual with mental health challenges, you may find yourself struggling with mental tension or worry due to the difficulties in life. You may be going through grief or rage. An emotional support animal can come in handy in helping you get rid of the stress. Cats and dogs have an innate ability to sense the emotional state of their owner.
When they stay close to you even without doing anything, their presence creates a calming effect and reduces your anxiety levels. You also get tactile comfort when cuddling and petting with your furry friend. That stimulates your body to release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
ESAs are also good at encouraging mindfulness. When you are able to redirect your attention from the stress and focus on playing with your furry companion, you get to conquer stress.
Esas Give You the Meaning of Joy in Life
Emotional support animals, especially dogs, have a way of teaching you the true meaning of living a peaceful, mindful and joyful life. They teach you how to face struggles and challenges in life. When you interact with an ESA, your brain begins to produce a hormone called oxytocin, also known as the cuddle chemical.
It has a way of increasing feelings of relaxation, empathy, and trust. If you have ever cuddled with a dog, you understand the warm and fuzzy feeling you received. When you reduce stress and anxiety, the feeling of peace, mindfulness and joy sets in.
Esas Make You More Active
It is important for individuals struggling with mental health conditions to embrace being active. Apart from helping you to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, being active is one of the best ways to deal with mental health issues.
ESAs can motivate you to engage in outdoor activities like runs, walks, or hikes. When you exercise regularly through the mentioned activities, you get to elevate your mood and reduce stress.
When taking your ESA out for a walk, you get an opportunity for social interaction. It helps you connect with other pet owners around your neighbourhood. Sometimes, you may get a chance to go for outdoor activities with other pet owners where your pets are allowed. Such activities can foster a sense of community where you no longer feel isolated and lonely.
Living with a pet requires you to ensure that they exercise to improve their physical health. When taking them out for physical exercise, you also get motivated to prioritize your own physical health. Knowing your ESA depends on you for care and exercise can be your biggest motivator to become more active. That way, you create an outlet for stress relief.