Feeling lonely in the lockdown? It’s time to adopt a pet and stay stress-free

Has it been way too difficult for you to survive this lockdown? This time has been particularly hard for most people, as there has literally been no scope to release your emotions. Maybe that’s why medical experts are shining the spotlight on how mental health has taken a hit during the pandemic. But do you know you can improve your mental state and beat lockdown blues, just by getting a pet? Yes, you heard it right!

A recent study published in PLOS One, has observed that human and animal relationships can help tackle mental health issues and loneliness. The study has also talked about how companionship can help to cope up with day-to-day stressors.

Here’s an abstract from the study: “We aimed to investigate links between mental health and loneliness, companion animal ownership, the human-animal bond, and human-animal interactions; and to explore animal owners’ perceptions related to the role of their animals during lockdown.”

And this is what the study revealed about the power of companionship

Out of the 5,926 participants, 5,323 (89.8%) had at least one companion animal. After conducting the experiment, researchers came to a conclusion that those who had pets had better mental health, in comparison to those who didn’t. The participants with pets were found to be more active as well.

The participants revealed that they were able to survive the lockdown, all thanks to their pets. 

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The study also says that it doesn’t matter whether you have a pet dog, cat, bird, or anything else. Just having a pet by your side makes a lot of difference. 

Loneliness is the biggest cause of depression and anxiety, say mental health experts

According to Shipra Dawar, CEO & founder of IWILL and ePsyClinic, a leading mental health care provider, loneliness is one of the key reasons for mental health ailments. 

If you have a pet by your side then your attention is diverted, and you tend to think less about situations like the lockdown and its repercussions. And you don’t feel as anxious! 

So, we have given you more reasons to love pets, haven’t we? If you don’t have a pet around, then it’s time to adopt one today!