The role of pets in enhancing well-being
If you’ve been following me for a while, you're aware of my commitment to the science of self-care and sharing how to integrate it into your everyday life.
Journaling, deep breathing, meditation, time in nature, and proper hydration are all significant parts of it. But the quietest, most consistent source of peace in my life doesn’t come from any of those things. He comes with four paws and a wiry coat, always trailing behind me on early walks and napping nearby when I work. His name is Howie.
You might already know him to some degree, but Howie is my daily anchor.
The truth is, pets change how we move through the world. They don’t just make life sweeter. They make it healthier, more connected, and less chaotic. There’s a growing body of research showing how animals impact our mental and physical well-being, but if you’ve ever had a deep relationship with an animal, you’ve undoubtedly felt it firsthand.
Let’s explore what’s behind those feelings.
How pets support mental health
Spending time with animals has been shown to help lower stress hormones like cortisol and boost feel-good chemicals, like oxytocin. These shifts are measurable, but they’re also deeply felt, like when you come home from a hard day to a wagging tail or a warm nuzzle. It just resets something inside.
The small acts of devotion we do to support their lives – feeding, walking, bathing – provide a rhythm to the day, which is especially helpful during emotional rough patches when you think you’d rather hide under the covers.
For me, taking Howie outside in the early morning is more than a routine. It’s a reminder to show up fully, no matter how my mind is spinning. And it immediately connects me to the natural world, opening my heart to the life that surrounds me.
Animals teach presence without preaching
Howie doesn’t rush. He doesn’t multitask. He moves through the day with a kind of clarity I’ve only found through breaking away from the daily 9-5 grind, living life on my terms, creating an online business that affords me monetary, location and time freedom. He was a driving force in showing me that life is too short to give it away to big corporations and hustle culture.
Pets help recalibrate our internal clocks. Their quiet attention to the present moment helps pull us out of spirals, whether those are anxious thoughts or just the endless scroll of modern life. Sharing space with an animal helps soften the edges and reminds us what’s most important – stillness, presence, being, and loving.
They know our souls and what we need
Howie can sense my moods before I say a word. His way of showing support isn’t loud or performative. He’ll just sit closer, or rest his chin on my foot, or look up at me like he already understands. That kind of empathy isn’t something you can teach. Animals just know, and they become mirrors for your own health and wellness.
This is especially powerful for people living with anxiety, depression, or trauma. Pets don’t ask us to articulate what’s wrong. They simply stay near, and sometimes that’s the most healing thing of all.
Mental wellness gets a lot of attention, but the physical health benefits of living with pets are just as real. In studies, dog owners are shown to be more likely to engage in regular exercise, spend time outdoors, and interact with their local communities. Since Howie came into my life, I’ve walked more miles and gotten more fresh air than I ever did before, and that has ripple effects on sleep, immunity, and energy.
In children, early exposure to pets can help strengthen the immune system. In older adults, having a pet can reduce feelings of isolation and potentially increase longevity. Across all ages, the emotional bond between humans and animals has physical outcomes, too.
One of the most tender parts of loving an animal is knowing their life moves faster than ours. The grief is part of it, but so is the gratitude. Every day with Howie feels like something to protect. Something to notice.
He reminds me not to wait to feel joy. Not to postpone the good parts. The time we share with our pets teaches us how to care, how to listen, and how to express love without words.
Why it matters now
Well-being has become a catch-all phrase for so many things. But in the context of real life, it’s about how we feel when we wake up. How connected we are to the world around us. Whether we’re moving through life or just trying to survive it.
In that way, having a pet isn’t a wellness trend. It’s a relationship that calls us back to our most grounded selves. A dog like Howie doesn’t need to say a word to make me feel whole. He just climbs into my lap, or leads the way down the trail, and suddenly the world feels a little easier to hold.e! I always enjoy hearing from you.