Everything’s better when there’s a dog involved! The same goes for mental health. We all need support systems, which usually include our family and closest friends. But do you have a dog in your corner? 

There are scientifically proven links between the presence of a dog and improved mental health. Whether you choose to get a therapy dog, a companion animal, or just rescue a mutt who needs your help, once a dog comes into your life, your mental health is likely to take a little bit of an upswing. 

Here’s how dogs can help you deal with mental illness. 

Dogs Reduce Loneliness 

No matter where you are in your mental health journey, loneliness is a common and devastating feeling. Even if you have excellent support, it’s hard not to feel lonely if nobody else understands what you’re going through. 

Enter the fluff. Their quiet, loving presence can do wonders for companionship and make one feel less alone in the world. 

This is particularly true for those whose mental illness keeps them from leaving the house or interacting with other people. Your trusty pooch can quickly become your best bud. 

That wagging tail and those soft eyes give you something to wake up for every morning, even when you feel that there’s not much good in your life. 

Dogs Help Keep You Physically Healthy 

When you’re struggling with mental health, it can become easy to neglect your physical health too. Sometimes it just feels like too much to get up and go for a run, or do some exercise. 

But with Fido in your life, exercise becomes easier. Your beloved dog needs exercise to build muscle, keep him in shape, and offer physical and mental stimulation. 

It’s a whole lot easier to get up and go for a walk or run when there’s a furry little creature waiting excitedly for you! Sometimes, taking the dog for a walk is all we need to reframe our minds and feel better. 

Dogs Are Totally Non-Judgmental 

Have you ever felt like everyone is judging you because of your mental health struggles? It can be super hard to feel comfortable with others, and little comments or actions can seem like much bigger things. 

But your pup? There’s never any judgement there - only love. Your dog will never make you feel bad for being who you are. If you’re having a bad day and feel like binge-watching Netflix and eating everything, they’re a willing companion - as long as they have treats too! 

Dogs Can Add Structure To Your Day 

Structure can be hard to come by when you’re struggling with your mental health. But when there’s a fluffy pup relying on you for their food, exercise, bathroom breaks, and love, it’s a little easier to stick to a daily routine. 

Routine is valuable. It offers clarity, reassurance, and a sense of control. Control is something that’s highly underrated when it comes to mental health, and simply having a structured routine can help you hold onto an important feeling of control. 

Dogs Provide Sensory Stress Relief 

Sensory stress relief isn’t just something for kids. Touch is an important way to reduce stress, and when used along with movement—ie. patting a dog—it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. 

This causes lowered blood pressure, a reduced heart rate, and eases anxiety. There’s little research available for the long-term effects of this kind of stress relief, but it does promote good cardiovascular health. 

Conclusion 

Mental health has always been a prevalent issue, and even more so since our world has been rocked by this pandemic. If you’ve been dealing with mental illness of any severity for any length of time, you know how important it is to have loving, supportive people around you. 

If you don’t already have a fluffy companion, it’s well worth considering. You don’t need to get a dog who’s been trained as a therapy dog.

But just having a lovable, cuddly, devoted dog in your life can make a whole lot of difference when it comes to dealing with mental illness. 

About the Author

Mike Powell has been working with dogs since he was a child and has an understanding of how their presence can improve life in a variety of ways. He writes about all dog-related things over at Dog Embassy.