FORGET MULTITASKING: When dogs have a job to do, they give it their undivided
attention. It turns out people should probably do the same. Stanford researchers found that attention and memory
suffer in those who juggle work, email, and web-surfing, compared to those who
focus on one task at a time. Other studies suggest employees actually lose time
when multitasking.
TAKE NAPS: You
won't catch your pet going from dawn to dusk without any shut-eye.
There's good evidence humans can benefit from catnaps, too. A study involving
about 24,000 people indicates regular nappers are 37% less likely to die from
heart disease than people who nap only occasionally. Short naps can also
enhance alertness and job performance.
WALK EVERY
DAY: Whether you've got four legs or two, walking is one of the
safest, easiest ways to burn calories and boost heart health. Taking regular
walks can also help you:
- Fight depression.
- Lose weight.
- Lower your risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Lower the risk of breast and colon cancer.
- Keep your bones strong.
- Keep your mind sharp.
CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIPS: People
are social animals, and friendships have measurable health benefits.
Researchers in Australia followed 1,500 older people for 10 years. Those with
the most friends were 22% less likely to die than those with the fewest
friends.
LIVE IN THE MOMENT: Living in the moment may be one of the most important
lessons we can learn from our pets. In a study called "A Wandering Mind
Is an Unhappy Mind," Harvard psychologists
conclude that people are happiest when doing activities that keep the mind
focused, such as sex or exercise. Planning, reminiscing, or thinking about
anything other than the current activity can undermine happiness.
DON’T HOLD A GRUDGE: Part of living in the
moment is letting bygones be bygones. Let go of old grudges, and you'll
literally breathe easier. Chronic anger has been linked to a decline in lung
function, while forgiveness contributes to lower blood pressure and reduced
anxiety. People who forgive also tend to have higher self-esteem.
WAG: OK, so maybe you don't
have a tail. But you can smile or put a spring in your step when you're feeling
grateful. Researchers have found a strong connection between gratitude and
general well-being. In one study, people who kept gratitude journals had better
attitudes, exercised more, and had fewer physical complaints.
MAINTAIN CURIOSITY: According to a popular saying, curiosity may be hazardous to
a cat's health. But not so for humans. Researchers have found that people who
are more curious tend to have a greater sense of meaning in life. Other studies
have linked curiosity to psychological well-being and the expansion of
knowledge and skills.
BE SILLY: Indulging
in a little silliness may have serious health benefits. Cardiologists at the University of
Maryland Medical Center found a
stronger sense of humor in people with healthy hearts than in those who had
suffered a heart attack. They conclude that "laughter is the best medicine"
– especially when it comes to protecting your heart.
GET A BACK RUB: The
power of touch is nothing to sniff at. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has found massage therapy can ease pain, give the
immune system a boost, and help manage chronic conditions like asthma and
diabetes. The touch of a loved one may be even more powerful. In one study,
married women experienced less anxiety over the threat of an electric shock
when they held their husbands' hands.
DRINK WATER WHEN YOU’RE THIRSTY: Dogs don't lap up sports drinks when they've been playing
hard – and most people don't need to either. During a typical workout, drinking
water is the best way to stay hydrated. Water gives your muscles and tissues
critical fluid without adding to your calorie count. Be sure to drink more than
usual on hot days or when you're sweating a lot.
EAT FISH: Most
cats would trade kibble for a can of tuna any day. Luckily, you can choose to
make fish a regular part of your diet. Salmon, tuna, trout, and other fatty
fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of heart
disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis. In addition, Rush University researchers
found that people who eat fish at least once a week are 60% less likely to
develop Alzheimer's disease.
IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, SHOW IT: Dogs
don't play hard to get – when they love you, they show you. It's a good
approach for people seeking to strengthen their relationships. A study
published in the journal Personal Relationships suggests small, thoughtful gestures can have a
big impact on how connected and satisfied couples feel.
PLAY: Goofing off is not just for kids and kittens. In his book, Play, Stuart Brown, MD, writes that playing is a
basic human need along with sleeping and eating. Play enhances intelligence,
creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. So take a cue from your pet and
devote yourself to an activity that has no purpose other than sheer fun.
ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS: A hike in the woods may be a dog's idea of bliss, but it has
plenty of benefits for the human mind and body as well. Spending time outdoors
can enhance fitness, increase vitamin D levels, and reduce stress. In children,
playing in natural settings has also been linked to better distance vision,
fewer ADHD symptoms, and better performance in school.
MAKE TIME TO GROOM: Aside from the obvious health benefits of bathing and
brushing your teeth, grooming can have a number of positive effects on your
life. Good personal hygiene is vital to self-esteem. A tidy appearance can also
help you get and maintain a job.
BE AWARE OF BODY LANGUAGE: Dogs are excellent at reading each other's intent from body
language. Humans, not so much. While most of us do reveal our emotions through
posture, speech patterns, and eye contact, other people generally aren't very
good at reading those cues. People get better at decoding body language as they
get older.
STRETCH OFTEN: Stretching will keep you
limber, but the benefits don't stop there. In a 10-week study, volunteers who
did no exercise other than stretching experienced surprising physical changes.
Besides improving flexibility, they increased their muscle strength, power, and
endurance. Although the study was a small one, the results suggest stretching
may be a good alternative for people who have a condition that rules out
traditional strength-training.
SEEK OUT SHADE: When you're at the park,
and your pooch is ready for a break, she'll probably find a nice shady spot to
relax. Dermatologists recommend you follow suit, especially between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when you would soak up the most UV rays,
particularly during late spring and early summer. While you're sheltered in the
shade, it's a good idea to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin.
STICK TO A SCHEDULE: Pets like the consistency
of a routine – they can’t tell a Saturday from a Monday. The same goes for the
human body clock. People sleep better if they go to bed and get up at the same
time every day, even on weekends. Sticking to a consistent schedule for
bathing, dressing, and eating can also improve the quality of sleep.
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on August 29,
2011
REFERENCES:
Stanford University.
NPR.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance.
Archives of Internal Medicine.
National Sleep Foundation.
AARP.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
New England Journal of Medicine.
JAMA.
American Journal Of Preventive Medicine.
Curr Sports Med.
Science.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Case Center for Collegiate Behavioral Health.
Motivation and Emotion.
University of Maryland Health Center.
Touch Research Institute.
Psychological Science.
KidsHealth.org.
American Heart Association.
Washington State Department of Health.
Rush University Medical Center.
Personal Relationships.
Brown, Stuart. Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and
Invigorates the Soul. New York: Penguin, 2009.
National Wildlife Federation.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
University of Illinois Extension.
Harvard Business School Working Knowledge.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
CDC: "Skin Cancer Prevention."
American Psychological Association.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
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The difference between friends and pets is
that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.
~Robert Brault
Ever consider what pets must think of us? I
mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul —
chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
~Anne Tyler
Animals are such agreeable friends - they
ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot
An animal's eyes have the power to speak a
great language. ~Martin Buber
Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very
many listen, though.... That's the problem. ~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh
The kind man feeds his beast before sitting
down to dinner. ~Hebrew Proverb
Animals have these advantages over
man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of
death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not
disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them
nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills. ~Voltaire
I believe in animal rights, and high among
them is the right to the gentle stroke of a human hand. ~Robert Brault
Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
