Your canine could be more than just your best friend — it turns out that he could also be your body’s best friend as well. A recent study gives dog owners great news: Your pet could be doing you a world of good when it comes to your health.
A recent Canadian study surveyed 351 men and women, aged 20- to 80-years-old. The participants provided information such as demographics, dog ownership, and time spent walking for leisure, physical activity, etc. After analyzing the data, researchers found that the dog owners walked approximately 300 minutes every week, while those people without dogs walked only 168 minutes a week — which was almost half the time!
It seems that the sense of obligation toward our dogs is what drives us to get off the couch and walking more. With this responsibility, it was found that people were more likely to walk, which is a great form of mild-to-moderate exercise. In addition, having a planned daily schedule (e.g. walking Rex at 7:30 a.m. every day) made the study subjects more likely to stay active.
Walking as a regular exercise has countless health benefits. You could boost your heart health, battle depression, lower blood pressure, prevent osteoporosis, reduce arthritis pain, lose weight (which leads to a slew of other benefits), sleep better. . . the list is endless.
Walking has even been said to add extra years onto your life! When it comes to losing weight, walking your dog 20 minutes a day, five days a week could help you lose an average of 14 pounds over a period of 50 weeks, according to a University of Missouri-Columbia study. The key to achieving any kind of health results is to walk regularly.
That’s where owning a dog enters the picture. If you have a canine friend, you have to take him out on a regular basis — for his health, if not for yours! If you’ve been slacking in this area, it’s not too late to start. Start with 10 minutes a day and work your way up to 30 minutes, then 40 minutes if you can. Your dog will love it and your body will be feeling so much better in no time!
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, you’ll also likely feel more energized, get sick less often, and you’ll just feel better overall. If you have an existing health condition, check with your doctor to see what walking regime is best for you.
Now, we’re not saying that you have to run out and buy a dog if you don’t already have one. Pet ownership is a major responsibility and a huge commitment, and it’s not for everyone. If you don’t have a special canine in your life, but think you need this kind of incentive to get you active, then consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. They’re usually looking for reliable dog walkers. Or, you could help a neighbor out with their doggie duties.
Whatever you do, give your animal friend an extra pat on the head or a big hug. Not only does your dog provide you with protection and companionship, but he could also help you live a longer, healthier life! No bones about it!
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Tags: Arthritis, exercise
