We all want to keep our dogs healthy. One of the best ways to do that is by walking them every single day. Walking your dog is not just a way to exercise your pet, but it can also have multiple health benefits for both you and your doggie. Let’s have a look at the benefits…
Lowering Stress & Improving Mental Health
Research has shown that spending time with dogs can lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. This lowering of cortisol can help to reduce anxiety, depression, and other horrible mental health conditions. When you walk your dog, you get to spend quality time with them and break free from the distractions of daily life for a while. This can provide a much needed relaxation effect, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Better Heart Health
Walking your dog is also great for your heart health. Frequent exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, and levels-up cardiovascular fitness! When you take your dog for a walk every day, you’re not only giving exercise to your pet, but you’re also getting the physical activity your body depends on to stay fit and healthy.
Encouraging Weight Loss
Walking your dog is an excellent wat to maintain a healthy weight. As everyone knows, physical activity is important for maintaining your weight and taking your dog for a walk can provide a great opportunity to get in some exercise that you might overwise put off. Even just walking your dog for 30 minutes every day can help to burn up to 200 calories! As well as this, by getting more physical activity, you’ll be less likely to just lounge around on your sofa watching TV or browsing social media on your phone.
Socialisation
Socialisation for both you and your dog increases when you walk them. When you take your dog for a walk, you’ll bump into other dog owners who are also out walking their dog. This is an excellent chance to meet new people who share a love for dogs. Walking your dog in groups can help to improve socialisation for your dog and since dogs are social animals, spending time with other members of their species can help to improve their behaviour at home.
Better Immunity
Regular exercise can improve your immune system. By incorporating regular exercise, in the form of walking your doggie, into your routine, you’ll be less likely to get sick, and if you do get sick, your body will fight of the illness much quicker!
Making a Routine
Getting more walks fit into your daily routine can be as simple as making a schedule. Make time each day to take your dog on a walk, and make sure to stick to the schedule you made. If you are a real busy bee, consider waking up a bit earlier in the morning or fitting the walk in after work. Or you can also split up your walks into two or three shorter walks scattered throughout the day. If you make a routine, you’ll be much more likely to stick to it and make walking your dog a regular part of your daily routine.