Pets can make you feel safe and happy They can be your constant companion They can be your exercise buddy just as much as your binge watching couch potato partner If you have a pet at home we dont have to tell you about all the wonderful benefits that come from having them in your life
But did you know that they can improve your sleep
If youve ever looked at your cat and found yourself jealous of the 15+ hours of sleep theyre getting each day we understand You might not be able to lounge around as much as a cat or dog But your furry friend can improve your sleep habits and help you get a better nights rest
So how can your pets improve your sleep Lets look at some routines you can start with them to get the shut eye you need so youll have more energy to throw the frisbee around tomorrow
They Can Improve Your Mental Health
One of the biggest ways pets can improve your sleep is by helping your overall mental well being Dogs in particular can help with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety whether theyre in bed with you or not Just having an animal around can greatly improve your mental health Simply petting a dog can slow your heart rate and help you calm down if youre experiencing a bout of anxiety Its no wonder why dogs are often used in the professional treatment of disorders like
PTSD
OCD
GAD
When youre less stressed and anxious it becomes easier to sleep Many people with anxiety struggle with racing thoughts even through the night That can cause a vicious cycle where you cant sleep because youre anxious then you become more anxious because you cant sleep Sometimes trying to relax makes things worse because your anxiety is all you think about
If your pet helps to alleviate that anxiety you wont deal with as many nervous thoughts and you can get the sleep you need
When your pet eases your mental health struggles theyll also benefit your body A more relaxed mental state can help with things like
Blood pressure
Insomnia
Cardiovascular issues
Speaking of heart health studies have shown that sleeping with a dog promotes theta brainwaves which occur during the REM cycle of sleep That shows that youre likely to get a deeper more restful sleep when you share a bed with your pet Whats even more interesting is that when dogs are with their owners their heartbeats sync up That just goes to show how important your pets presence can be on your brain and your sleep health Imagine laying next to your four legged friend and having the same heartbeat How calming and cute is that
They Can Wear You Out in a Good Way
Its not just mental health your pet can help with Dogs especially are built in exercise buddies Most dogs need between 30 minutes and two hours of physical activity each day depending on the breed
Getting that kind of exercise often requires you to jump in and get active too Whether its a jog through the neighborhood a walk through the park or a game of catch in the backyard your dog will get you moving
Physical activity is one of the best ways to ensure a better nights sleep When your body is tired and worn out youre more likely to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night This gives your muscles a chance to repair themselves so you can do it all again tomorrow
So while theres nothing wrong with sitting on the couch watching your favorite show with your pet make sure youre getting some physical activity with them each day It benefits them but it will also benefit your sleep quality and your overall health
As a bonus theres an old saying a tired dog is a good dog If your pet doesnt get enough exercise each day they might act out from restlessness or boredom Unfortunately that could include chewing on things or going through other destructive behaviors when youre not home If tiring your dog out is the only reason you start getting active with them thats a good enough reason But before long youll start to notice some of the benefits for yourself
The Benefits of Sleeping With Your Dog
Dog owners tend to be pretty split on whether or not their furry friend belongs in bed If you do let your dog sleep with you youve probably assumed the pretzel position on more than one occasion to give them enough space Sleeping with a dog isnt for everyone You should ask yourself the following questions before deciding if its right for you
Are you a light sleeper
Do you startle easily
Do you move around a lot in your sleep
How committed are you
Do you sleep with a partner
If you do decide that sleeping with your dog is the right thing for your situation you can take advantage of several additional benefits
First they can increase your sense of security If you live alone having your guard dog in bed with you can make you feel safer so youll sleep more soundly That doesnt mean you have to have a German Sheperd or Rottweiler Even small dogs can make you feel safe simply because theyll alert you to any unusual noises or movement and their attitudes are often bigger than they are
Sleeping with a dog also decreases loneliness Theres a reason pet adoptions soared during the COVID 19 pandemic People were facing long periods of isolation and loneliness which can cause damage to mental health and make it harder to sleep Loneliness can also cause people to experience more mental health issues like depression and extra stress A pets presence next to you in bed can ease those feelings Sleeping with an animal strengthens your bond with them and can help you both feel less lonely throughout the night
If you feel like your dogs top priority is to please you youre not wrong Animals tend to pick up on our emotions and feelings If youre anxious or depressed it can rub off on them So they want you to feel calm and happy whether they realize how much they can actually help with that or not
On top of the mental health benefits dogs and cats already provide a sense of companionship is the icing on the cake So whether youre struggling to get a good nights sleep or you just want the comfort of your furry companion next to you there are plenty of ways pets can improve your sleep and allow you to feel well rested every morning
Living the good life with your dog can be mutually beneficial Try cozying up next to your dog for a week and determine if co sleeping with your dog results in a more rested you
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