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A bond of love: How pets affect our well-being

Pets contribute significantly to mental and physical health by re... Read More
The bond between people and animals has been strong for eternity, as is also illustrated in ancient sculptures, carvings, and murals of various cultures. It is a fact that pets offer more than just companionship. Over the past three decades of research, it has been discovered that animals have a long-lasting and deep influence on our mental as well as physical wellness. In this article, Dr. Anureet Sethi, Chairperson Co-founder at Trijog – Know Your Mind Pvt. Ltd., shares how pets can enhance our well-being:

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Love hormone
Whether playing fetch, taking a long walk, or simply sitting together, pets leave you feeling loved and happy. Studies conducted worldwide have long established that being around furry friends has a two-pronged effect on our brains. The first is the decrease in cortisol, or the stress hormone, due to interaction with pets, which lowers blood pressure. Secondly, being with your pet prompts the release of oxytocin by your brain, a chemical which has popularly been called the 'love hormone'.

Healing touch
Many hospitals and health professionals are using pet therapy as an effective and impactful mode to hasten the healing of patients. Pets are like emotional anchors in today's fast-moving, busy world where more people are becoming disengaged from each other. They elicit mindfulness and are an essential component of well-being because they make humans live in the present by providing a grounding influence. Their need for care promotes empathy and provides an opportunity to destress.



Small and simple acts like stroking a pet's head, cuddling them, playing with them, or just seeing a fish swim around can help lower your anxiety and help induce calmness in your daily life by replacing negativity with positivity. This is particularly useful for trauma patients, the elderly, children, and especially beneficial to those struggling with severe mental challenges.

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Living with a pet
The daily routine of living with a pet can be extremely rewarding and satisfying. Taking them on daily walks has physical benefits - not only do you stay fit, it can also lead to new friendships that can help you socially. Unlike complex relationships, pets are not judgemental and provide unconditional support whether you are a success or failure. This provides an emotional safety net where an individual can express themselves freely, which helps build psychological wellness. Their presence helps ease social burden and act like a stabilizing force that cultivates emotional balance and well-being.

Are you a ‘Pet Parent’ or your pet’s ‘Human’?
Humans keep pets for various reasons, such as companionship, service dogs to help with illness, watchdogs, and more. Whatever the reason, the profound impact of a pet on the well-being of a human goes beyond these reasons. The gratification that a companion animal delivers is like none other. In today's era, families are becoming smaller, and pets are integral to the family. There is a reason why pet owners call themselves ‘pet parents’. Their presence gives a sense of purpose and routine that elevates psychological well-being and resilience.

Count your blessings
It is not necessary to always use verbal communication to elevate a person’s mood or mental health. Non-verbal communication, like a lick or a snuggle by your little friend can significantly elevate one's mood, leading to a deeply satisfying life and balanced mental health. The welcome you get when you return home from a hard day at work is usually reward enough for the work you need to put in to maintain your pet. If you have a pet, count your blessings, and if you don’t have one- you must explore adopting a pet to make your life happy and complete.

Red flags to look out for

Sometimes, to have it all in life-- be it at work or in our relationships-- we end up putting in too much effort, which in turn exhausts us mentally and emotionally. This type of toxic productivity stems from some people strongly believing that their worth-- be it at work or in social circles-- is dependent on how much they can offer to others and not receive or take anything in return. This type of over-functioning is not only unhealthy but can also be detrimental to our well-being. Over time, it can make one feel burnt out and not seen or heard by others. Here we list some signs to look out for if you are over-functioning and how it affects your relationships.

While being responsible is a good trait, taking charge of every little thing and overdoing it can make one feel exhausted-- at work and even in personal relationships. Remember, every relationship should be balanced when it comes to give and take. Feeling responsible for everything and everyone in your circle can drain you emotionally, and adversely affect your mental health. Instead, try to take a step back and practice self-care and self-love. Let others also put in some effort-- be it in teamwork or friendships and other personal relationships.

If you constantly find yourself avoiding being vulnerable or stating your needs in relationships, then it is a big red flag. By avoiding uncomfortable conversations, you are not standing up for yourself and you might even settle for the bare minimum efforts put in by others. Over time, this can make you feel emotionally disconnected from others and unloved/ unappreciated. Remember, it is okay to voice your needs and concerns respectably.

Are you a people-pleaser? So much so that you always wish to say the right things because you feel responsible for other people's emotions? Well, then this is a red flag sign you need to beware of. Why? Well, you can't be held responsible for other people's actions, emotions, or words. Constantly pleasing others (even when you don't feel like it) or taking the responsibility of making them feel good regardless of your own emotional needs, would make you feel drained and exhausted.

Constantly thinking about other people's needs and wishes and working upon them, while keeping your wishes and desires on the backbench is a sure-shot sign of not prioritising yourself. Remember, you too are important and prioritising yourself is a form of self-love and acceptance. Overtly thinking about others or giving too much in any relationship, would make you feel unheard, unappreciated, or unloved. It is important to note that the behaviour you accept teaches others how to treat you. So be genuine in your relationships, and do not hesitate to be your authentic self.

If you always tend to give too much in any relationship, and not ask or receive anything in return-- this would create an unhealthy imbalance in your bonds. While you might not say much or express your disappointment, over time this could lead you to feel neglected or unloved. Remember, it is okay to ask what you need and express your expectations in any relationship. You too are important; speaking up for yourself is a form of self-love.

Red flags to look out for

Sometimes, to have it all in life-- be it at work or in our relationships-- we end up putting in too much effort, which in turn exhausts us mentally and emotionally. This type of toxic productivity stems from some people strongly believing that their worth-- be it at work or in social circles-- is dependent on how much they can offer to others and not receive or take anything in return. This type of over-functioning is not only unhealthy but can also be detrimental to our well-being. Over time, it can make one feel burnt out and not seen or heard by others. Here we list some signs to look out for if you are over-functioning and how it affects your relationships.

While being responsible is a good trait, taking charge of every little thing and overdoing it can make one feel exhausted-- at work and even in personal relationships. Remember, every relationship should be balanced when it comes to give and take. Feeling responsible for everything and everyone in your circle can drain you emotionally, and adversely affect your mental health. Instead, try to take a step back and practice self-care and self-love. Let others also put in some effort-- be it in teamwork or friendships and other personal relationships.

If you constantly find yourself avoiding being vulnerable or stating your needs in relationships, then it is a big red flag. By avoiding uncomfortable conversations, you are not standing up for yourself and you might even settle for the bare minimum efforts put in by others. Over time, this can make you feel emotionally disconnected from others and unloved/ unappreciated. Remember, it is okay to voice your needs and concerns respectably.

Are you a people-pleaser? So much so that you always wish to say the right things because you feel responsible for other people's emotions? Well, then this is a red flag sign you need to beware of. Why? Well, you can't be held responsible for other people's actions, emotions, or words. Constantly pleasing others (even when you don't feel like it) or taking the responsibility of making them feel good regardless of your own emotional needs, would make you feel drained and exhausted.

Constantly thinking about other people's needs and wishes and working upon them, while keeping your wishes and desires on the backbench is a sure-shot sign of not prioritising yourself. Remember, you too are important and prioritising yourself is a form of self-love and acceptance. Overtly thinking about others or giving too much in any relationship, would make you feel unheard, unappreciated, or unloved. It is important to note that the behaviour you accept teaches others how to treat you. So be genuine in your relationships, and do not hesitate to be your authentic self.

If you always tend to give too much in any relationship, and not ask or receive anything in return-- this would create an unhealthy imbalance in your bonds. While you might not say much or express your disappointment, over time this could lead you to feel neglected or unloved. Remember, it is okay to ask what you need and express your expectations in any relationship. You too are important; speaking up for yourself is a form of self-love.

Red flags to look out for

Sometimes, to have it all in life-- be it at work or in our relationships-- we end up putting in too much effort, which in turn exhausts us mentally and emotionally. This type of toxic productivity stems from some people strongly believing that their worth-- be it at work or in social circles-- is dependent on how much they can offer to others and not receive or take anything in return. This type of over-functioning is not only unhealthy but can also be detrimental to our well-being. Over time, it can make one feel burnt out and not seen or heard by others. Here we list some signs to look out for if you are over-functioning and how it affects your relationships.

While being responsible is a good trait, taking charge of every little thing and overdoing it can make one feel exhausted-- at work and even in personal relationships. Remember, every relationship should be balanced when it comes to give and take. Feeling responsible for everything and everyone in your circle can drain you emotionally, and adversely affect your mental health. Instead, try to take a step back and practice self-care and self-love. Let others also put in some effort-- be it in teamwork or friendships and other personal relationships.

If you constantly find yourself avoiding being vulnerable or stating your needs in relationships, then it is a big red flag. By avoiding uncomfortable conversations, you are not standing up for yourself and you might even settle for the bare minimum efforts put in by others. Over time, this can make you feel emotionally disconnected from others and unloved/ unappreciated. Remember, it is okay to voice your needs and concerns respectably.

Are you a people-pleaser? So much so that you always wish to say the right things because you feel responsible for other people's emotions? Well, then this is a red flag sign you need to beware of. Why? Well, you can't be held responsible for other people's actions, emotions, or words. Constantly pleasing others (even when you don't feel like it) or taking the responsibility of making them feel good regardless of your own emotional needs, would make you feel drained and exhausted.

Constantly thinking about other people's needs and wishes and working upon them, while keeping your wishes and desires on the backbench is a sure-shot sign of not prioritising yourself. Remember, you too are important and prioritising yourself is a form of self-love and acceptance. Overtly thinking about others or giving too much in any relationship, would make you feel unheard, unappreciated, or unloved. It is important to note that the behaviour you accept teaches others how to treat you. So be genuine in your relationships, and do not hesitate to be your authentic self.

If you always tend to give too much in any relationship, and not ask or receive anything in return-- this would create an unhealthy imbalance in your bonds. While you might not say much or express your disappointment, over time this could lead you to feel neglected or unloved. Remember, it is okay to ask what you need and express your expectations in any relationship. You too are important; speaking up for yourself is a form of self-love.

03:09


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