Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Can animals help with depression?

With different people looking for their own way to deal with some light depression they may experience on occasion, a few have come up with some interesting ways that they believe will brighten their mood. For some, music can help soothe the soul. Music is what many will turn to because it not only helps them to relax and leave their worries behind for a while, it can help them feel refreshed after they have listened to a few good tunes. For many others, spending some time with their fury, scaly or feathery companions can help to brighten their day; though cats and dogs are the more common choice.

With cats and dogs being domesticated and living alongside humans for thousands of years, it is little wonder that many people will develop a strong and meaningful bond with their fuzzy family member. Often taken for granted, there is much that a pet can give back to their family, not the least of which is the affection that a dog can give back to their owner. There is the comfort in the fact that a dog will always be happy to see their friend. They do not judge a person on anything they have done, and as long as their master treats them right, they will always be there to wag their tail, show an open-mouthed grin and to cuddle with. This is why many dog, and cat, owners will look forward to getting home and taking their dog out for a walk or spend time with them, because as soon as they come in through that door, they know that they will be greeted with that brilliant ray of sunshine. There is a healthy and happy consistency there that can help a person re-boot and realize that things in life really are not as bad as they may sometimes seem.

As unfortunate as it is, especially with so many of these wonder beings needing to go to a good home, there are many places that may not allow pets. There are also those that, despite their love of animals, are greatly allergic to them so there is little chance of a dog living there. For those who live in places that do allow pets, one has to keep in mind that while they might think the benefits of a dog or cat sound wonderful, the responsibilities that come with a pet may not be something they want to have to deal with. Taking care of a friend’s dog every once in a while might not be a bad idea in this case.

Of course, for those who feel depression a little more than once in a while, speaking to a professional might be a good idea. One does not necessarily have to arrange multiple sessions with an online counselor, sometimes one or two sessions is all they need as they just need to be heard. Finding an online therapist is fairly easy for anyone willing to do a quick search online. Online counseling is not just for those who are suffering from more serious problems, those who are feeling a little blue and in a rut in life can greatly benefit from a little online therapy as well.

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