It’s a well-known fact that pets can boost our spirits – research has repeatedly demonstrated this over the years. So it’s not surprising that animals are being increasingly used to improve health and well being in various walks of life. Need more evidence that your pet can help you de-stress? Read on for 5 areas where pets can help alleviate some everyday stresses:

• Exam Stress
Various colleges, including Tufts University and UC San Diego, now employ therapy dogs to help relieve exam-associated anxiety. Students get to pet, feed and play with the dogs, allowing them some smiles as well as a much-needed break to counteract the monotony of studying. In addition to the immediate stress relief, experts report that simply petting a dog can have longer lasting effects and can help produce better exam results. Allowing yourself the chance to clear your mind of exam thoughts seems to improve the ability to retain information, and therefore help the learning process.

• The Mind
Pets play a crucial role in emotional health and can certainly bring us many psychological benefits. They greatly reduce feelings of loneliness in people who live alone, not only through companionship, but also because they improve social interactions by becoming a topic of conservation with others. They also serve as a great, natural anti-depressant – research has shown that petting animals can help increase the release of endorphins and other chemicals in the body that are linked with pleasure.

• The Body
Owning a pet seems to be correlated with improved general health in people. Research studies from UCLA and Cambridge University both reported that pet owners apparently make fewer visits to their doctor. And additionally, a study of Medicare patients demonstrated that dog-owning seniors made fewer doctor visits than those without a dog. A large Australian study also determined that pet owners needed less medication for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

• Self Esteem
Research studies have also demonstrated a link between pet ownership and improved self-esteem in children. Additionally, pets apparently help children develop empathy as well as improving their cognitive abilities.

• Family Life
It’s common for pet owners to describe their pet as “part of the family”. Pets are reported to enhance the quality of family life in numerous ways, including minimizing tension between family members, as well as helping them to develop increased compassion for living things. One survey of US families described the important role of pets during stressful events such as a family crisis or the death of someone close.

So it’s official – pets are good for your mind, and your body. If you don’t already own a pet, it’s time to think about adding one to your life. They’re just what the doctor ordered!

This article was created by Mey Lau, one of the invisible dog fence supplies and dog containment experts at www.dogfencediy.com.

– Article by Whitney Jones.

Lunch can make or break a day once noon hits. A healthy lunch in a relaxing atmosphere can create a positive chain reaction throughout the rest of your day. You can take the time to rebound from any morning stress and recharge to get ready for the rest of the afternoon.

Don’t eat at your desk. Lunch should be your time to get away from the office. The location you choose is almost as important as what you eat or what you bring. Find an out of the way place where there aren’t large groups of people. A courtyard bench or a small café is preferable to a break room, but even that is better than eating at your desk.

Many workers choose to eat alone because they spend so much time during the day with other people. Eating alone gives you a chance to reflect on your day and decide how you can improve on it. The quiet time will also help you relax and focus after hours of being “on it” for work.

If you have a longer lunch hour, consider stopping by a yoga studio to refocus and get rid of tension in your muscles built up from work stresses and sitting in uncomfortable office chairs. Those who don’t have a long lunch or can’t access a studio should consider doing some quick stretching in a secluded area. Even reaching and stretching your arms above your head can get blood flowing.

Likewise, a short walk can stimulate your mind and help you re-center. If you go out for lunch, park in one of the back spaces so you can get a bit of exercise in before going back to the grind. Few things are more relaxing than a small stroll and a pleasant meal.

Whether you pack lunch or eat out, limit the amount of caffeine you consume. Caffeine makes it impossible for the body to relax and though it increases alertness, too much of it will make it difficult to focus. Energy drinks are out of the question, but a single soda or cup of coffee is acceptable.

Foods that are too high in fat will make you sluggish, but nibbling on a carrot stick will also make your mind slower and unfocused. Strike a good balance of filling foods that aren’t too greasy and don’t contain too much sugar, and you’ll be able to focus and relax the rest of your day.

Take a cell phone to check the time, but resist the urge to check e-mail with a smartphone during your time away from the office. Some people choose to bring a computer to catch up on work or do some online training, but after stressful mornings, it’s better to recharge for the rest of your day.

After a relaxing lunch, you should be well-fed, focused and ready for the afternoon ahead. Though it’s tempting to work through lunch, realize that relaxing during lunch will increase your overall productivity and make for a much more pleasant afternoon.

Parenthood is awesome. Parenthood is stressful. Parenthood makes me laugh till I cry and weep with joy. And it can also leave me standing in the middle of the kitchen weeping from sheer exhaustion. From the outside looking in, these kids are innocent and cute and cuddly. And all of that’s true. But day in and day out, they fight and they scream and they always. need. something. They always need you.

And yes, you can take the occasional day off. You might even squeeze in a weekend away, but is that enough? Most definitely, no. Parents need a reprieve in the heat of the battle. We don’t necessarily want to run away from our children (okay, maybe sometimes we do); we just want to survive the day without weeping.

Here are five ways that I’ve learned to relax while caring for my children.

#1. Nap. It seems so simple, but parents just don’t do it. We’re so driven to “get stuff done” when the kids are asleep. Yes, it’s true, naptime is the golden hour to get stuff done, but this doesn’t mean we have to use it every day. Once in a while, lie down with your children (or in a different room) and take an honest to goodness nap. My oldest thinks herself “too old for naps,” and really doesn’t take them anymore. But still, every once in a while, I tell her, “Mama needs to rest today, so you don’t have to take a nap, but we are going to rest.” I tell her she doesn’t have to sleep, but she has to be quiet and rest, because rest is important. And she does it. She often looks at a book, but she stays horizontal and she’s quiet. If you’re worried about escapees, utilize childproof doorknobs and toddler gates. Even if you don’t actually fall asleep, you will at least get a moment to relax. The laundry can wait. Really, it can.

#2. Amoratherapy. I diffuse essential oils in my home nearly every day. If I’m feeling tense or anxious, I diffuse lavender oil. If I can’t keep my eyes open, I use lemongrass oil to perk myself up. I tell you the truth – it really helps! And my kids love it too! Be sure to use real essential oils and not synthetic fragrance oils. And if you don’t have a diffuser, just wear a little oil like a perfume.

#3. Walk. It might sound counterintuitive, but it really works. Take a nice long walk and it will relax you and your kids. And if you tire out your kids, it will make an easier day for you! If it’s cold out, bundle everyone up and make it a (short) adventure. Fresh air and getting your body moving will definitely help you unwind.

#4. Classical music. My kids complained at first because they wanted “cool music,” but after a few days, they started to like it. At first, I was reluctant to play music in the house, as I didn’t want anything to add to the constant noise, but classical was different. It didn’t feel like noise – it felt like a layer of serenity.

#5. Yoga. Your kids can do yoga! They even make kids’ yoga videos if you need some guidance. (Or just look it up on YouTube.) It won’t be the same as a true adult yoga class, as your kids will still be giggling and making comments, but it will be yogic enough to provide you with some of the many benefits of yoga, including de-stressing!

Author Bio

This article was created by the team at www.babysignlanguage.com the most complete resource to help you explore sign language for babies.