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How Your Pets Can Help Depression Recovery

Depression is an illness that affects millions of people each year and can hinder your ability to function as a human being. It is not easy dealing with depression, but there are some ways that you can help combat it. Although it is important to have medical help from professionals, pets can be a vital part of helping you recover from depression.

Tip: An effective way to deal with your depression is developing hobbies or outside interests. An idle mind and idle hands can lead to feelings of depression.

Ensure that you have the proper medical help in place before participating in pet therapy. Believe it or not, animal-assisted therapy is a medically approved and proven method of helping cope with depression. However, it is important that you use pet therapy in combination with professional medical assistance. One cannot really function without the other.

Tip: When you feel the telltale signs that your depression may be acting up, try taking a long bath. A nice soak with a beloved book or a favorite album on the stereo will elevate your spirits.

You need a pet who can be a companion to you. Make a mental decision that you will include your pet in your recovery process. It doesn't really matter the type of animal you choose, but it is important to be able to interact with him or her. If you don't have a pet, consider adopting a friend from a local shelter. However, be responsible and only adopt if you know for a fact that you can provide the love and care a pet requires.

Tip: Put the words "depression" and "depressed" away and fill your vocabulary with words that make you happy and focus on them. Though these words are certainly quite real, they carry some pretty negative associations with them.

Spend time with your pet each day. It is important that you dedicate anywhere from 15 to even 30 minutes to spend with your pet. You can choose to spend even more time, but 15 to 30 minutes should be the bare minimum. It was scientifically proven that in order for your serotonin levels to kick in, at least 15 minutes should be spent with your pet.

Tip: Depression can have many root causes, and you should do your best to try and figure out what is the root of your personal depression. Once you are able to better understand what is causing you to have these feelings, you should be able to handle the hard moments much better.

Your pet is a great listener. You can tell your pet all your secrets and everything that's bothering you without ever having dire consequences relating to your honesty. Your pet will provide you with all the response you need by sitting and listening to what you have to say. Pour out your heart to your pet because it is important that you talk about everything that's really bothering you.

Tip: One great way to feel better about yourself and stop feeling depressed is to start dressing well. Put on some nice clothes and go out.

Petting your pet can calm you. Stroke your pet's fur and you will ultimately start feeling more relaxed. This is an experience that can help you push your negative thoughts into the background. When you relax and stroke your pet, you may find negative thoughts surfacing. Push those negative thoughts and focus on spending time with your pet.

Tip: Keeping beautiful flowers around can help perk you up. From the bright colors to the pleasant aroma, the healing power of flowers is not nearly as trite as it may sound.

Pets can help you cure your loneliness. When you start feeling lonely, spend time with your pet. Your pet requires care and your attention which can make you feel wanted. Your pet needing you gives you a sense of being wanted.

Tip: Make sure you take your anti-depressants at a given time each day and it is recommended that you do so in the morning. If you stick to a schedule, you will better be able to remember to take your medicine.

You can keep calm with your pet. If you have just experienced something that made you feel flustered or angry, your pet can help you keep calm. Sit down with your pet and talk to him or her. It will help you redirect your attention elsewhere and you will find that your pet has a truly calming effect on your nerves.

Depression is not easy to cope with or to control. However, medical help is not the only kind of help that can help you deal with depression. Your pets can become just as therapeutic as your medication. Use the information from this article to get your pet involved in your treatment.

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