Description
A walk with your dog in the morning or afternoon can dramatically improve your mood and decrease stress.
Possible Benefits
- May boost your mood
- May decrease your stress level
- May decrease your anxiety level
- May improve your creativity
- Increases physical activity
- May boost your motivation
How to Do It
Go out with your dog for a walk at the time you prefer. It is recommended in the morning when the sunlight is healthier and the weather is cooler.
It is preferable that you do it in natural places, to increase the benefits of this activity.
Why it works
It has been shown that people who have dogs tend to be more physically active
Pets become meaningful beings for people, generating a sense of psychological well-being and comfort
One study found that having a pet decreases the likelihood of suffering from depression
The American Heart Association recommends owning a dog, as it can decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular disease (due to physical activity)
Walking has been proven to promote the free flow of ideas [7]
Time Commitment
20-60 minutes
Suggested Frequency
At least twice per week
Time of Day
Any time of day, but preferably the morning
Possible Side Effects
None known
Tips
- Look for natural places nearby and try to change your route sometimes
- You can pause to sit in a park and read or just relax
- Currently, interventions in mental health with dogs are promoted
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- To a Future Where Everyone Can Walk a Dog Even if They Don't Own One. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6284364/
- Factors associated with daily walking of dogs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4435921/
- Encouraging Dog Walking for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124971/
- How might we increase physical activity through dog walking?: A comprehensive review of dog walking correlates. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261546/
- Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23661721/
- I Walk My Dog Because It Makes Me Happy: A Qualitative Study to Understand Why Dogs Motivate Walking and Improved Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580638/
- Give your ideas some legs: the positive effect of walking on creative thinking. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24749966/
