“20 Things You Can Learn From Your Pets!”

 

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.

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

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 

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 

"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)

“All About Your Body Clock”

Feel the Rhythm: Your body has tiny clocks all over the place to keep everything running smoothly. But the master one in your brain calls the shots and drives your circadian rhythm. That’s your 24-hour cycle that controls things like your body temperature, hunger, and -- the big one -- sleep. And that clock is wired directly to your eyes, so light has a big effect on it.

What Makes You Tick: When you open your eyes in the morning, light floods your brain. It turns certain genes on and off to get you revved up for the day. It also tells your brain to stop making melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Later, as the day fades, darkness flips the melatonin switch back on to set you up for sleep.

Larks and Owls: Most people’s clocks run on about the same schedule. But some are a little outside the typical range. Larks rise early, alert and raring to go. Owls? You have to drag them out of bed, but once evening rolls around, they’re on it. Scientists think larks may have slightly faster clocks, and owls slower ones. Fast, slow, or in between are all fine. The key is to work with your clock, not against it.

How Your Clock Shifts With Age: As you get older, your body clock goes through a few changes. Newborns sleep up to 17 hours a day, while teens need more like 10. Teens also tend to stay up later and sleep in longer. As you move into adulthood, you typically settle in to 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. And after age 65, you might see other shifts, like waking up earlier.

Is Your Schedule Keeping You Down? You might think you can pull a string of late nights and make up the lost sleep on the weekend. But that’s like being on a leaky boat and thinking, “I’ll bail it out on Saturday.” Your body craves routine, and late nights and sleeping in can keep you out of sync. If you do grab some extra shuteye, limit it to an hour, two at the most.

Jet Lag: Going from L.A. to New York may not seem like a big deal. But the next morning, when your alarm clocks says 7 a.m., your body clock’s groaning that it’s only on 4 a.m. You’ll adjust, but it might take a few days. The more time zones you cross, the worse it is, especially if you fly east. And changing our clocks twice a year for daylight saving time is like jet lag without leaving the ground.

Lack of Rhythm Takes a Toll: When your clock’s off, it doesn’t just mess up your sleep. Your hormones, digestion, and even your immune system can take a hit, too. Scientists think fighting against your clock can make you sick. Some studies show connections between circadian rhythms that are out of whack and conditions like cancer, diabetes, bipolar disorder, and obesity.

Are Naps Good or Bad? They can be good as long as you’re smart about them. A 20- to 30-minute nap in the early to mid-afternoon can make you more relaxed, alert, and productive. It can boost your mood, too. And it usually won’t cause problems with sleeping at night. But longer naps can leave you feeling out of it and may keep you awake when you don’t want to be. And naps are no substitute for good sleep habits.

Refresh With Routine: When you need to get yourself back on track, nothing beats boring. A regular schedule, day in and day out, is one of the best things you can do. Go to bed at the same time each night, then wake up at the same time each morning. Rinse and repeat. Aim to keep the time the same within half an hour on both ends, and you’ll be off to a strong start.

Reset Yourself, but Not All at Once: If you want to shift your bedtime from midnight to 10, it’s best to take small steps to get there. One big leap might just be frustrating. Instead, shoot for 11:45 for a night or two. Then shift to 11:30. Keep dialing back in 15-minute chunks. It’ll take a little longer, but it’s more likely to stick.

Dim the Lights at Night: We used to sleep in caves with no beds, pillows, or white noise machines. It worked because it was dark. So think about a sort of second sunset at night -- inside your house instead of outside. At least an hour before bed, turn the TV off and dim the lights. Put away the phones, tablets, and anything that glows. Grab a book, put on some chill music, or take a bath and relax.

Keep It Light in the Morning: If you’re doing your best to get up at the same time every day but your body’s not playing along, pull those curtains open wide. Turn on the bright lights. Go for a short walk outside. Basically, load your brain up with brightness so you can cut off that melatonin supply. Have your coffee, but drink it in a sunny spot for an even stronger effect.

Can Exercise Help? Yes. People who hit the gym in the early morning tend to get better sleep all around. An afternoon workout can be a good idea, too. Your body temp is higher then, which is good for your muscles. But don’t exercise within 2 hours of your bedtime, because it may rev you up and make you more alert. That’s not true for everyone, though, so pay attention to what works for you.

Beware the Late-Night Snack: Who can sleep with a grumbling stomach? But it’s not a good idea to eat right before bed. Your best bet is to fill up at dinner at the same time each night, a few hours before bed. And stay away from heavy meals, spicy foods, and caffeine in the later hours. If you do snack, try a carb with a protein, like cheese and crackers.

Digital Sleep Thieves: You close up your laptop after another long day, brush your teeth, and hit the hay. Or maybe you zone out and relax with some TV or a look at your social media feeds. What’s the harm? Computers, TVs, and phones cast a type of blue light that can tell your brain to stop making melatonin. A better way to get ready for a good night’s sleep is to read or listen to relaxing music.

When You Need More Help: Your rhythm can get so out of whack that you need treatment for it. If that happens, one option is bright-light therapy to reset your clock. You’ll work with a sleep specialist and use special lights 1 to 2 hours every day at specific times. Your doctor might also suggest a melatonin supplement or chronotherapy. That’s when you make small changes to your sleep schedule over time until you’re back on track.

Tips for Shift Workers: If you wake up at night to go to work, flip on the bright lights as soon as you get up. Quick exercises like jumping jacks or a short walk can help, too. At work, keep it as bright as you can. If you head home when it’s light out, wear sunglasses, and once you’re back at your place, use blackout curtains in your bedroom to block out as much light as possible.

Reviewed by Nayana Ambardekar, MD on November 14, 2017

National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Biomedical Beat: “Turn Back Every Clock,” “Circadian Rhythms Fact Sheet.”
National Sleep Foundation: “What Are Some Circadian Rhythm Disorders?” “Circadian Rhythm and Your Body Clock,” “How to Get on a Sleep Schedule,” “How to Become a Morning Person,” “4 Tips to Maximize Your Circadian Sleep-Wake Rhythm,” “Is It Bad to Watch TV Right Before Bed?” “How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Need?” “Catching Up on Sleep,” “Improve Your Sleep on a Shift-Based Schedule,” “What Is Circadian Rhythm?” Napping.”
Harvard Medical School: “Individual Variation and the Genetics of Sleep,” “Napping May Not Be Such a No-No.”
Nature: “Circadian Rhythms: Of Owls, Larks, and Alarm Clocks.”
UCLA Health: “Circadian Rhythms,” “Sleep and Health.”
Science: “Why Late Nights Are Bad for Your Immune System.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Circadian Rhythm Disorders.”
Sleep Health Foundation: “Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS).”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"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)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.