Plants And Animals Proven To Increase Health

Plants and animals have long been an integral part of human environments, and they are proven to have positive effects on our wellbeing. They can increase productivity, help ward off depression and make life more enjoyable. Life is defined by living, dynamic energies, and having plants and animals brings that vibrancy into our immediate daily lives.

A study by the nonprofit organization PAWSitive InterAction showed that seniors with dogs visit the doctor less often than those who don’t have dogs. In a study involving 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners had a 21 percent lower incidence of physician contacts than non-owners.

When medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to $1.18 per patient per day, some nursing homes allowed pets and plants to be introduced into patients’ environments. Nursing homes in New York, Missouri and Texas were all used in this research study.

Pet owners showed lower blood pressure readings as well as lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners. Heart attack sufferers who own a dog are eight times more likely to survive for the year afterward than non-owners. Science has repeatedly shown that exposure to pets stimulates therapeutic chemical responses in humans. Tests have demonstrated that within minutes of petting a dog, both the human and the dog experience massive releases of beneficial hormones like prolactin, oxytocin and phenylethylamine.

As well, there is evidence that pets help combat allergies in children. One study found that living with two or more cats or dogs as toddlers made children less susceptible to other allergy-inducing substances by age seven. Children exposed to educational programs on the humane treatment of animals display enhanced empathy for humans, compared to children not exposed to these types of programs. Couples who own pets have closer relationships, more satisfaction with marriage and increased ability to cope with stress, compared to couples without pets.

As any pet owner can attest, a pet’s presence decreases feelings of loneliness and isolation, and can even aid in better physical health, as many owners exercise with their pets. People living with AIDS who own pets experience less depression and reduced stress, improving their quality of life.

Many people have also found that plants have a profound effect on their wellbeing. There has been very little proof of this until recently. Scientific reports from researchers at universities in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have shed some new light on these effects.

In a study by Virginia Lohr and her colleagues at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Washington State University, plants were placed in a windowless work spaces—in this instance, a computer lab. Participants’ blood pressure and emotions were monitored while completing a simple, timed computer task in the presence and absence of plants. The study participants in the room with the plants experienced greater productivity and lower stress levels. They also reported feeling more attentive upon completion of the task.

Plants produce pure oxygen. They should be placed in the areas where we spend a lot of time, such as beside our beds or on our desks. They are especially good to have nearby during exercise. Both plants and animals flourish when we talk or sing to them.

Why is the infusion of life energy into our environments so beneficial? For one thing, animals readily display their affection for us, providing us with a sense of unconditional love that often brings happiness. Knowing that we will be greeted by an excited pet when we get home brings feelings of joy and connection to our daily lives. Pets also provide us the feeling that we’re needed. They depend on us for their care, and this provides us with the feeling of meaning and purpose that makes life so worthwhile.

Possible Roadblocks

“I would love to have a pet, but I don’t have time to take care of an animal.”

If you just can’t spend very much time at home, you probably don’t want to get a pet. They need loving attention and a good deal of care. But there are numerous other options available for people who still want to experience the joy and pleasure that animals bring. You can volunteer at a local animal shelter or veterinary office. You can also visit friends who have pets, or offer to care for their pets when they are away. They might even let you borrow a pet for an afternoon! You might also want to look at why you’re never home. If you keep yourself busy to avoid being alone with yourself, a pet might be a great way to make you more comfortable with staying home.

“I don’t really like animals, and I have no room for a bunch of plants!”

If you don’t like animals, a pet probably wouldn’t be a very pleasant addition to your environment. Plants, on the other hand, are a great addition to any home. For apartment dwellers, an outdoor garden may be out of the question. Even if you don’t have a yard, or a lot of space inside your home, you can still add plants to your environment. Start a small pot garden on a table, a countertop or a corner of your desk. Pot gardens are a good way to fill up even the smallest free space with plants. Ivy plants are a wonderful way to incorporate plant life into your living area. As they grow, they climb. They might climb along a wall, creating a relaxing garden-like atmosphere. Don’t let a lack of space stand in your way. Get creative. Having plants around is worth it.

Action Items

-Get a plant. One day this week, visit a nursery or other shop that sells potted plants, and buy at least one plant. It can be a small flowering plant, or a huge potted Benjamin fig tree. Pick something that you enjoy looking at, and find out about the kind of care that the plant requires. There are plants for every lifestyle, from higher-maintenance varieties to practically self-sustaining plants such as cacti. Send yourself an e-minder to get this done before the end of the week.

-Go to an animal shelter. If you’re in the market for a pet, visit an animal shelter. The cats and dogs in shelters are in need of good homes, and they’re much cheaper than pure breeds with papers. Before you get a pet, though, make sure that you consider your lifestyle. Pets need their owners to be home a great deal of the time. They need care, and they need time with their humans in order to feel loved. If you think that a pet is for you, begin looking for one this week. Look for an animal that will fit your space and your lifestyle, and find out about the disposition of the animal you’ve chosen before you take him or her home. Begin researching pets and the possibility of fitting one into your life.

-Volunteer. If you love animals but don’t have a lifestyle that’s conducive to having them in your home, look for an animal shelter this week and sign up to volunteer there at least once a month. No matter how busy you are, you can spare at least an hour a month to help out at a shelter. Send yourself an e-minder to set up your first volunteering session sometime this week.

We are living beings, and our emotional health is supported by connection to other living beings. Plants and animals are part of our natural environments, and their presence can support us physically and emotionally. Adding plants and animals to our home environments can increase our quality of life and provide us with a feeling of love and care. When we share our homes with other living beings, we will experience more of the joy of being alive.

Author’s Bio:

Jessica Rhodes is a certified wellness adviser for the 123 Feel Better Company. The 123 Feel Better® Life Change System™ is a wellness program designed to help individuals reach their wellness goals and live fuller, more complete lives. 123 Feel Better is based on the 7 Aspects of Wellness™ model. Learn how to make real changes in the areas of Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Environmental, Occupational, Social, and Intellectual Wellness to create a balanced life with 123 Feel Better and our free wellness resources at 123 Feel Better.