Pets DO Reduce Stress: New Study Shows Cortisol Reduction

August 7th, 2019

By Nikki Harper

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

Anyone who shares their home with a beloved pet of any kind will tell you: pets reduce stress. OK, so sometimes they cause stress too (especially when they wander off for days at a time, like one of my four cats insists on doing….or when they throw bits of apple at your head when you’re working, like my parrot does) – but by and large pet owners the world over will agree that pets are great for stress-busting.

Much of the research done into pets and stress relief has been focused on mental health and the psychological benefits of having a pet or spending time with a friendly animal. The known psychological benefits are well documented but less is known about our physiological response to our furry, scaled or feathered friends.

When we’re stressed, the body releases cortisol, a stress hormone – which impairs our body’s ability to heal itself, increasing stress and leading to a vicious and yes, increasingly stressful circle. Not sleeping, stomach upsets, aches and pains, weight gain and headaches can all be signs that your body’s releasing way too much cortisol. But- good news. Research done recently at Washington State University has discovered that just ten minutes of interacting with cats and dogs was enough to produce a significant reduction in students’ cortisol levels – a genuine physiological response with known health benefits.

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