Every year, our Director of Residence Life gives the same speech at the beginning of the year about the types of pets we are allowed to have. That pet is a fish in a bowl. A bowl, not an aquarium. Also, just because it can fit in a bowl does not mean we can have it. I believe that we need to be able to own different pets. Limit the types of pets that we can have to cats and small dogs of course, but let us have different pets. Why? Because they are good for you! Pets have many psychological and physical benefits that can improve your health!
1. Petting your pet.
The act of petting can relax and reduce stress levels because the act of petting releases oxytocin, a hormone that is linked to emotional bonding. The owner and the pet releases oxytocin, which creates a feeling of calmness between the them. Just the act of petting an animal is known to cause a person's blood pressure to drop relieving stress which as college students we all have in excess.
2. Companionship.
Because when you have had a rough day and just want to cuddle, you can cuddle your dog. Or cat, depending on the mood of the cat that moment. All of the sudden, you aren't alone any more! you have all the love you need right there.
3. Pets make you more social.
Pet owners are more likely to be social than others seeing as will more likely to approach you if you have a pet. This means less Greys Anatomy Netflix binges and more real human interaction!
4. Pets boost your mood.
Pet ownership can boost your feeling of self-worth as well as your self-esteem. Studies show that if you play with your pet you can raise levels of serotonin and dopamine and decrease cortisol. According to a study, 95 percent of people talk each day to his or her pet, 82 percent said owning a pet made them feel better when they were sad, 65 percent said petting or caressing their pet made them feel better, and 57 percent said they told their fears and worries to their pets.
5. Pets teach responsibility.
What better way to prepare us for the real world than having us be responsible for ourselves in school as well as for another living creature? Something we can love and care for and another reason for us to keep our dorm room clean.
We need pets. If not for the fact that they are adorable, then because as a stressed out college kid we need some form of stress relief in the form of kitty cuddles and puppy kisses.
