Pet Therapy as Part of a Holistic Approach
to Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder
There is much research to support the theory that keeping a pet can help
alleviate stress. Worrying and stress compound the effects of seasonal affective disorder ('SAD'). This article
tells you about the various ways in which keeping a pet can help to offset those bad effects. My own pet favourites
are springer spaniels, but other pets are good, too, including cats, tropical fish and even parrots.
Company for You
If your family has grown up or you live alone for other reasons, then a dog is great company. Therefore, having
'someone to care for' provides real and tangible health benefits. Of course, a cat is company, as is a caged bird,
but they are less demanding than a dog.
Demanding
A demanding pet is a good thing, because it gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning and get out in the
daylight, getting exercise. With a cat you just put down the food and the cat comes and goes through the catflap in
the door - there's little benefit there for you. Of course, the cat will come and curl up on your lap in front of
the TV in the evening, and that does reduce stress.
Caring Moves Your Focus
If you live alone, whether through choice or circumstances, then the effects of SAD are intensified, because you
have only yourself to focus on. If you have a pet to care for, then the caring shifts some of your focus away from
yourself, at least for some of the time. The less time you spend looking inwards and the more time spend looking
outwards, then the better it is for you.
Laughter Releases Endorphins
Springer spaniels are generally very happy dogs and love having fun. This is good for you - my Springers made me
laugh each and every day. They are smart dogs and that adds to the fun! Laughter helps release those feel-good
endorphins in the brain - more SAD therapy for you.
Exercise
Springers will hunt and retrieve for hours on end - they love a game of hide and seek with an old sock or glove -
and this leads to more fun and exercise for you too, as well as taking your mind off your own problems. As we know,
exercise is a therapy for seasonal affective disorder, realeasing those endorphins in the brain.
Pet Personalities
Unlike an aquarium of tropical fish, dogs are much more interesting, in my opinion. They have distinctive
personalities, as cats do too. However, if you are unable to 'get about' easily - perhaps lacking a transport, or
for health reasons - then tropical fish are great stress reducers too. And, let's not forget parrots - they will
talk to you!
Finally
Well, dogs are my favourite - and Springer Spaniels in particular - but generally any form of pet will add interest
and diversion into your day. Dogs, and particularly Springer Spaniels, offer probably the widest range of benefits
to a SAD sufferer. So, think about a pet as a possible component in the holisitic approach to beating SAD.
The author has suffered from seasonal affective disorder for many years. He has devised his own holistic approach to
the condition. There is a very useful site about Springer Spaniels at => www.springerspanieladvice.com with a 10 lesson mini-course about them, at no cost.
Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com
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