12 Life Lessons You Can Learn from Your Pet

Amy Taylor July 23, 2013

Whilst most pet owners understand the joy their furry friends bring, few people know that the benefits of owning a pet extend way beyond improving our mood and overall happiness. Our pets could also teach us some important life lessons that can greatly help us improve our health and well-being.

Here are some of the things your pets can teach you:

Take a nap.

Animals know the importance of sleep, even power nap. If you own a cat, you must have sometimes envy him for sleeping all day long! Well, science shows that humans can benefit from having catnaps too. A large study involving nearly 24,000 people revealed that individuals who regularly take a nap were less likely to die from heart disease than those who nap occasionally. Taking thirty minutes to an hour of power nap in the middle of the day can help recharge your batteries and improve your focus and work performance later in the day.

Invest on friendship.

Cats can be friends with dogs and vice versa. Human beings are social animals and therefore, we are hardwired to cultivate friendships. Friendships contribute to our happiness and well-being. In one study, Australian researchers found that people with the most number of friends were 22 per cent less likely to die than those who had very few friends.

Forgive and forget.

Yes, pets fight and that’s normal. But after a little while, you will see them playing together as if nothing ever happened. We humans, on the other hand, sometimes find it real difficult to let go of our grudges. But this does not produce any positive outcome at all. Rather, it makes us more anxious, stressed and prone to illness.

Play like a kid.

Just because you’re in your 30s or 40s doesn’t mean you couldn’t play like you do when you were just 8 years old. According to Dr Stuart Brown, the author of the book Play, playing is a basic human need, just like sleeping and eating. So take some time off from your stressful work and engage in an activity that brings you nothing but pure fun!

Have someone touch you.

Never underestimate the power of touch. In a study by the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, scientists found that massage therapy doesn’t just relieve pain, but also boosts the immune system and help manage chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma. Touch alone is already therapeutic. In one study, women experienced less anxiety over the threat of an electric shock when they held their husbands’ hands.

Stay curious.

Too much curiosity could kill a cat, so goes an old saying. But it doesn’t kill humans. In fact, it could help improve your cognitive abilities. Whilst curiosity can be a double-edged sword as some very curious people tend to engage in potentially dangerous activities, according to Paul Silvia, a social psychologist at the University of North Carolina, the benefits gained by curious people outweigh the negative effects of the risks they take. Another study by Todd Kashdan of George Mason University suggests that curious people experience higher levels of satisfaction with life than their more disengaged peers.

Live in the moment.

Sure thing, pets don’t know the value of meditating but they are best at it! Living in the moment is one of the best lessons you could learn from your pet. When pets play, they play with all their heart and are not distracted by any other thoughts. A study by a group of Harvard psychologists suggests that people are happiest when doing activities that keep their minds focused, such as exercise and sex. On the other hand, planning, thinking and reminiscing about anything else other than what they are doing could undermine happiness.

Be grateful. Wag!

Yes you don’t have a tail but you have lips that can smile beautifully. Pets only complain when they are not feeling well. But they don’t complain of what food you serve them or what kind of bed they have or clothes they are wearing. They are just so grateful to have you. Research found that people who kept gratitude journals had better attitudes, more positive outlooks in life, had fewer physical complaints, and exercises more.

Be silly!

Laughter’s the best medicine – for heart attack. Laugh out loud, do the moves like Jagger, sing a song you’re not familiar with – do anything silly and fun! According to University of Maryland researchers, having a strong sense of humour could promote heart health.

If you love someone, show it.

Pets are never afraid to show how they love and value their masters – all the time. Even if you don’t pay their attention back, they won’t stop. Pets never play the old “hard to get” game. A study published in the journal Personal Relationships suggests that even small gestures of affection can have significant impact on how connected and satisfied couples feel about their relationship.

Enjoy the great outdoors!

Pets love wandering, even if they know that everything they need is in your house. Going out and exploring nature is a rewarding experience. It promotes fitness and happiness. It also boosts your vitamin D levels, reduces your stress levels, and boosts your immune system. So instead of browsing the web, go out and take a walk and appreciate nature.

Stick to a schedule.

Pets can’t tell Mondays from Saturdays but they are able to keep their body clocks properly functioning. You too, can. By following a fixed schedule – sleeping and waking up at the same time, eating on time, and having enough rest on time – you will feel healthier and more energetic each day.

Don’t have a pet yet? Maybe it’s time to get one.