Stress is how the body naturally defends against predators or dangerous situations. It causes the body to be flushed with hormones including cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which help you to be ready to evade or confront danger. These chemicals trigger a number of physical symptoms including increased heart rate, sweating and alertness.
In the short term, stress can be a useful aid in getting you prepared for difficult or scary situations. However, long-term stress can have a detrimental effect on your health, both physically and mentally.
People who are suffering from stress due to situations at work are often subject to long-term stress, which can seriously affect their psychological wellbeing, often resulting in a recognised mental illness. People who are being bullied often feel ostracised or lonely, and people who are being subjected to excessive workloads feel like they are useless, or unable to cope with situations.
This can lead to them removing themselves from social situations outside of work and affecting their day to day interactions with people. It can also make everyday jobs, like shopping, self-care or cleaning seem impossible to do.
Research in multiple countries, including the UK, US and Sweden has shown that interacting with animals has been shown to decrease cortisol and lower blood pressure and increase oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, all of which help with stress-related symptoms. The act of stroking a pet in itself is a sensory act that lowers blood pressure. The research has been so positive that during the last decade or so, animal assistance in therapy has increased significantly.
Unconditional support
Caring for a dog or a cat can help give an owner a feeling of control and provide security and a routine, which is often missing when you are suffering from mental illness due to stress. A study completed by the University of Manchester in 2016 was led by Dr. Helen Brooks who states “pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which they were often not receiving from family or other social relationships”.
Having a dog also encourages more physical activity, something which people suffering from stress struggle to maintain. This, in turn, helps with any social anxiety someone might be experiencing; walking a dog often leads to conversations with other dog owners leaving the owner feeling more socially connected and less isolated. In addition, a pet in itself is a great companion which can provide owners with company throughout the day.
PTSD, Stress and Pets
Animals can be so beneficial that studies have shown that in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the unconditional love and oxytocin boost can help with the flashbacks, emotional numbness and angry outbursts. Because pets live in the moment, they can also help someone become more mindful and appreciate the present, rather than worrying about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow.
Oakwood Solicitors recently participated in ‘Bring your pet to work day’ as part of our initiatives to raise awareness of wellbeing and stress relief at work. More details can be found here.
Further reading
Pets and Mental Health – Mental Health Foundation
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you feel that you have been suffering from stress at work and would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us in confidence for a free initial consultation. Choose one of the methods to the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9787 to find out how one of our team can help you.
Stress is how the body naturally defends against predators or dangerous situations. It causes the body to be flushed with hormones including cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which help you to be ready to evade or confront danger. These chemicals trigger a number of physical symptoms including increased heart rate, sweating and alertness. In the short…
