More and more people are keeping pets. Many keep pets because they like their cuteness, dominance, intelligence, guarding abilities, and other reasons. But did you know that keeping pets can improve your health? Below, the editor introduces seven benefits of keeping pets to readers.
　　One: Pets may lower your cholesterol. If you have a dog, daily walks help maintain your cholesterol. Moreover, studies reveal that owning pets, especially for men, often lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
　　Two: Pets help relieve stress. Simply having your pet in the same room has a calming effect.
　　"When we look at our companion animals and the happiness they bring, it triggers the release of a powerful neurochemical—oxytocin," Johnson said, "This is also accompanied by reduced cortisol, the stress hormone." Through her research on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Johnson witnessed the powerful effects of animals.
　　"A veteran who could not leave his house without his wife was able to navigate his city less than a week after we placed a dog in his home," she said.
　　Three: Pets can lower blood pressure. This is a win-win discovery: petting your dog or cat to please your pet also lowers your blood pressure. Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that for people on medication for hypertension, owning a cat or dog reduced their blood pressure stress responses by half.
　　Four: Pets improve your fitness efficiency. Dogs are even better walking companions than friends. Johnson from the University of Missouri found in the study titled "Walking the hound, losing a pound" that dog walking improved their health much more than walking with other people. Another study found dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes per week, while those without dogs walked only 168 minutes per week. A study in the journal Physical Activity and Health found dog owners not only walked longer but were also 54% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels.
　　Five: Pets reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The combination of lowered cholesterol, stress, and blood pressure, plus increased fitness, can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. This theory is supported by the American Heart Association. In 2013, the American Heart Association reviewed extensive research on the impact of pet ownership on cardiovascular risk and concluded that having a furry friend, especially a dog, is associated with reduced risk and improved patient survival.
　　Six: Pets can prevent allergies in children. If your child has a pet companion, consider yourself lucky. A study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy revealed that children exposed to pets before six months old are less likely to develop allergic diseases—hay fever and eczema—before growing up.
　　"In the first year of life, infants exposed to dogs at home are more likely to be free from allergies, asthma, and reduced upper respiratory infections," Johnson said. And children raised around farm animals such as dogs and cats generally have stronger immune systems and lower risks of asthma or eczema.
　　Seven: Pets alleviate depression. Pets can provide social support for their owners, who often enjoy better overall well-being than non-owners, according to a study from the British Psychological Society published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology. After extensive reviews, research found that dogs especially promote therapy and mental health, particularly by reducing stress levels and increasing self-esteem, autonomy, and a sense of capability.
　　The diseases mentioned above generally affect middle-aged and elderly people. From the above introductions, we understand that pets not only enrich family atmosphere but also help people relieve illnesses—a win-win situation. Why not enjoy the benefits?