Rover.com and behavioural & media psychologist Jo Hemmings, has revealed that spending as little as 30 minutes a week with a dog can make you more successful.
Whether that be 30 minutes taking them for a walk or dog sitting while their owners are away, Jo Hemmings says: “seeing the pleasure that a dog gets from us taking them for a walk, or even just from spending time with them, can increase our own sense of self-worth and self-esteem, which means that we feel more valued”.
In fact, 78% of UK dog owners saw an increase in their self-esteem since caring for a dog. A further 59% said that the confidence boost extended to the workplace, and that their motivation levels had increased (79%), leading to top-dog work performances.
The research from Rover adds that canine-lovers feel like they are more mindful (84%) and less stressed (75%) since having a dog. Jo Hemmings says: “There is a strong connection between mindfulness and reduced cortisol levels, as well as an increase in both oxytocin and serotonin (our feel-good hormones), equipping us to approach life’s obstacles in a calmer, more positive manner”.
Activities such as dog sitting or walking are recommended to those looking to give more structure to their lives. “The daily routine of taking care of a dog and taking it for walks increases concentration and the ability to do logical work tasks more effectively” explains Dr Hemmings. 79% of dog owners found that having a sense of routine and discipline through dog walking made them more efficient and able to concentrate on achieving goals in other areas of their lives.
Furthermore, 50% of dog owners reported higher feelings of loneliness before bringing a dog in their lives, and according to Jo Hemmings, interacting with dogs can help solve the loneliness epidemic, offering the same emotional benefits as socialising with friends. Jo Hemmings says “Interacting with dogs increases levels of neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and dopamine that promote positive emotions and bonding.”
She adds, “spending time with dogs also helps to reinforce social connections made while outside walking them, with people seeing dog walkers as more friendly and approachable”. In fact, 84% of dog owners claim to have had conversations with strangers while walking their own dogs, in the past month. A further 63% said they’ve even made friends with people they regularly bump into on their dog walks.
82% of those surveyed also agreed that connecting with nature on a regular basis and the gentle aerobic exercise of dog walking, allowed them to stimulate their creativity. “By increasing our creativity levels and fuelling us with new ideas, we’re able to be much more proactive and motivated, leading to more successful outcomes and greater satisfaction in both our work lives and day-to-day life”, says Jo Hemmings. Additionally 87% said overall they felt more fulfilled and happier since spending time with a four-legged friend.
Summarising the research, behavioural & media psychologist Jo Hemmings says: “Spending as little as 30 minutes a week with dogs – whether taking them for a daily walk or caring for them while their owners are away – is not only good for your wellbeing, it is positively proactive when it comes to leading a successful life.”
“The benefits of spending time with dogs are wide-ranging, from releasing endorphins which give us more energy and motivation, to reinforcing social connections made while being outside. These benefits can help you focus on key areas of your life, including your relationships with others, your relationship with yourself, your day-to-day goals, and your job – enabling you to approach day-to-day life with a more positive and proactive mindset.”
For those who can’t own a dog, why not get paid to experience these benefits by becoming a dogsitter. For more information on this, visit Rover.com
Here’s what our dog walkers and sitters on Rover have to say:
Nikole from Bath says: “I love being able to meet new people and walk/sit dogs, especially after losing my own dog not too long ago. Rover.com has enabled me to make some extra money – which is perfect as a student, helping to improve both my physical and mental health and give me an extra sense of purpose!”
