We all know broadcasting and voiceover work can be really stressful jobs, but I bet you don’t think of a pet as your therapist and personal trainer to help you deal with stress. Well that’s what research studies are showing they are.
An article in Prevention magazine cites a study at SUNY Buffalo that showed when a pet is nearby our blood pressure lowers and our muscles relax. We also get a good dose of the feel-good hormone, oxytocin. In addition one of the damaging stress hormones in our bodies, cortisol, lowers.
Last week I was explaining all this to a client of mine who has just landed a network job in New York City. I told him that his new stress level is going to be much more intense because of the network demands versus a local station. Also NYC is a stressful city to live in compared to the medium-sized, mid western city he’s in now. One ally he has, though, is his dog, Rooney. He will be a great personal trainer with his demand to be walked everyday. Petting and playing with him will also produce some of the good-feeling chemicals described above.
What if you don’t have a dog? Certainly cats, rabbits, and even hamsters can be petted. But get this. Even stroking a pet snake produced the feel-good hormones in test subjects.
So get yourself a pet to love or make the most of the one you have. In the long run it’s cheaper than hiring a personal trainer and a therapist and less complicated than some human relationships!
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There’s so much truth in this. I know when I had my dog seeing him after a tough day at the office always made me feel better.
You’re so right, Marc. When my cat gets in my lap I can feel the tension melt away! Chester is better than hypnosis 🙂