Living in the city, with its skyscrapers and bustling streets, offers a vibrant lifestyle full of opportunities to work and play. Yet, amidst the busy streets and crowds of people, many find themselves facing feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be very detrimental for mental health.
People deal with the feelings of isolation in different ways. For some, loneliness drives them to join sports leagues or social groups to meet new friends. For others, the effect that loneliness has on their mental health can be crippling or can lead them to drugs. Personally, I took a different route. I adopted my pup Ginger.
Before I adopted Ginger I could feel my mental health being at a very low place. Emotionally, I was exhausted. Mix that with the loneliness that COVID brought, and the depression started creeping in very quickly. Adopting Ginger was the best thing that happened to me at that time. The routine of taking care of Ginger—feeding her, grooming her, and exercising—instilled a sense of purpose in me. This renewed purpose and the emotional bond I formed with Ginger acted as a buffer against the stress and loneliness I felt. I could feel myself getting out of the rut that I was in. I was meeting other dog owners and making new friends. Ginger, unknowingly, was the energy and companionship I needed.
Studies have shown that pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and a general increase in happiness. For urban pet owners, like me, these benefits are even more pronounced. Pets can act as social “ice-breakers”. They force us outdoors, into parks and along city paths, where we're more likely to interact with other pet owners and form new connections.
We firmly believe in the power that pets can have on our mental health. What Ginger has done for me and continues to do for me is the reason why she means the world to me. She’s the inspiration for the WAGGIN brand and is the reason why we will continue to work to spread the power of pets and work with organizations that share this belief!
Do you feel your pet(s) have helped you in your journey towards strengthening your mental health? Share your thoughts or experiences with us on social media. We love to hear how our fur-babies have helped in our mental health journey!