Mary Allen
You can cuddle on the couch later! Here we provide you with motivation for exercise with your dog … because the following reasons explain in a compact way how physical activities are good for you and your furry friends.
Healthy dogs love to exercise and exercise keeps dogs healthy. Because play is an essential characteristic of all mammals. Exercising with a dog is not only good for your four-legged friend – people who are not fitness-minded can also be infected by the motivation of their furry friends.
The following reasons are numbered, but this should not be tantamount to a rating. Everyone can decide for themselves what is most important. In sum, all points result in a motivating overall picture, in our opinion!
Pain-Free Into Old Age
Those who do not engage in physical activity or only exercise on one side lose their mobility over time – this applies to dogs as well as to humans! The consequences of this are often physical limitations and, in the worst case, even (chronic) pain. On the other hand, if you keep your muscles and joints active to a reasonable extent, you will feel more comfortable in your body and can also prevent many diseases.
Exercise With a Dog Keeps You Mentally Fit
Above all, exuberant play helps – both in dogs and in people – to reduce stress or “switch off”. Because although physical activity causes fatigue, you can mentally recover during it. This creates new resources and gives energy for future tasks.
Regular Doses of Happiness
Stress disappears when you exercise with a dog, not only because everyday problems are often ignored during this time. Physical activity (in the right amount) has also been shown to release hormones that produce feelings of happiness in mammals. So those who exercise feel happier, while lack of exercise is even linked to illnesses such as depression. And even dogs can suffer from low mood if they (can’t) exercise for a long time.
Better Sleep After Activity
Satisfaction and physical exhaustion are the best basis for restful sleep (and sweet dreams). The happiness hormones already mentioned ensuring this satisfaction. Sleep ensures that our brain can recover sufficiently. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, leads to increased nervousness and concentration problems.
Relationship With the Dog is Strengthened
Playing or exercising with a dog is a factor in the animal-human relationship that should not be underestimated. This creates positive experiences on both sides, which sometimes make education much easier and promote harmonious coexistence in the long term.