Okay, so maybe I need a dog. After all, petting a dog has been proven (scientifically) to reduce blood pressure and heart rate and aid in general health. Sure, my blood pressure and heart rate are great right now, but if a dog has that kind of impact, why not have man’s best friend around the house?
A research study shows that petting a dog 10-15 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure by 10%. If your blood pressure is, say, 140/100, then pet that dog and the study indicates that your BP should drop to the 125/90 range, a significant improvement.
Further, the study finds that hanging around with your pet actually releases serotonin, oxytocin, prolactin and can result in the lowering of the stress hormone cortisol.
So, if petting the dog improves your health, why not just become a dog! Or, at least adopt some of the habits that make it so happy? After all, as you know, most dogs have few cares in the world, right? Come on, show me a dog who’s concerned about paying his bills or getting to his next appointment!
Here are a few dog habits you can start to cultivate. These are all but guaranteed to make your life better!
Not all are original with me, but you can certainly learn from your furry, four-legged friend! These are a few characteristics of dogs that we may be wise to embrace.
- When family members come home, always run to greet them at the door!
- Always be ready to go on a joyride!
- Be supportive. If someone is having a bad day, be the first to comfort them.
- Enjoy the outdoors and savor the wind in your face!
- When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Just be yourself! It’s okay to be excited and silly from time to time. Adorable and cute work too.
- Rest! Take plenty of naps!
- Always be ready for a long walk! It’s relaxing, energizing and peaceful!
- If something is buried, dig until you find it!
- Stretch before getting up.
- Play! Run in the grass, roll over and chase stuff around the yard!
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Love unconditionally! Dogs forgive easily, and so should you.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass and just take in the beauty of God’s creation.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout…run right back and make friends.
- Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
- Be loyal. Loyalty is a personality trait you need to build strong friendships.
- When you meet someone not having a good day, just sit quietly close by and nudge them.
Sometimes, we take life to seriously and just need to chill. If you find yourself needing a new perspective, take on some of the above attributes and become a little more like a child. Or in this case, a dog.