Pets not only make you happier, they also make you healthier, says psychologist Sandra Jankowski – provided the animal suits you.
BRIGITTE: We live in challenging times. And right now more and more people are buying pets, with dog breeders, for example, those interested are queuing up. Can animals help in this crisis?
SANDRA JANKOWSKI: Yes, animals can make us humans very happy with their inviting character. They want to be taken care of. The person gets the feeling of being needed. This is good for the psyche and well-being. Hormones that are released play a role here, such as oxytocin, the bonding hormone, but also happiness hormones such as endorphins when we play and cuddle.
Does that mean pets put us on a hormonal frenzy?
Yeah almost. And at the same time, the animals lower the stress level. Less adrenaline is released in the body when an animal is only present. This lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Pets have been found to be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, or anxiety disorders. They also protect us from depression.
But looking after an animal is also exhausting. Above all a dog that regularly needs going out and occupation …
Overwork can become a problem, of course. Especially in times of crisis, it is not easy to get a young animal, because then the dog school has closed or contact with other animal owners is not so easy. In the long term, excessive demands can become a burden.
So would a small animal be less stressful?
You cant say it like that. Dogs are of great benefit to people's psyche. If you get a dog, it creates a lot more contact. When walking for a walk, you communicate with other dog owners or neighbors. Even strangers will notice you faster: You are more likely to be smiled at or greeted when you are out with the animal. The dog promotes our sociability and movement. Of course, it always depends on you which animal is the right one for you.
So you should consider beforehand which pet best suits your personality?
There is no rule of thumb, every animal is also different in its kind. But you can say that the dog is more fixated on humans, he begs for food, actively approaches us. Cats are more introverted by nature and go well with people who like to withdraw. Nevertheless, happiness hormones are also released in cat owners, we are just not encouraged to go out a lot because the cat roams around alone.
And beyond dog or cat?
Birds, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs or other pets are also beneficial for the psyche. Humans are less lonely and are needed to look after the animals. For this he is also rewarded with attention and loyalty.
Are pets feeling the current crisis?
Animals can sense tension and fear between people and don't know why. Depending on the character of the person, animals can be more stressed because they can be cuddled more or not be able to withdraw as usual when their owners are at home more often.
And if the relationship with the animal virtually replaces that with other people, for example the partner for singles: Is that healthy?
From a psychological point of view, this is not very effective. You can cuddle and talk to the animal, but there is no personal discussion. A partner would help us develop personally. Because: We need other people in order to develop further, to exhaust our potential and to get the best out of ourselves. This works through communication, which is very one-sided with a pet.
Sometimes you have the feeling that pets are substitutes for children …
A pet can never replace a child. Children bring us back to our own childhood experiences, which are processed, and promote our personal development. For example, if the child is angry and says "you bad mom" – and this is perhaps more often the case now in the crisis – we have to deal with it, perhaps question ourselves in the motherhood role or consider how we should deal with it. Of course, a dog or a cat cannot do that.
You have a cat yourself and your practice dog, the beagle lady Daisy. Are animals useful for therapy?
I often notice that my dog is calming my patients down. Even if it's just in the cup, people are less stressed and can open up more easily. Animals are therefore used in various therapies.
Have your pets also made the crisis easier for you?
Especially with my dog it was great that you were forced to go out. That took away the feeling of being locked in. I was less reassured by cuddling and more by the feeling of freedom when we were out together in nature.
In summary, it means that pet owners are happier.
According to studies: yes. Our body and psyche react positively to animals. But you don't necessarily have to own an animal yourself. And we must not forget: every person is unique in his or her essence, whether with an animal or without.
Sandra Jankowski is a freelance psychologist in Zeuthen near Berlin. In her private practice, she also has a four-legged colleague: Beagle lady Daisy.
Would you like to read more about the topic and exchange ideas with other women? Then take a look at the BRIGITTE community's "all-round animal forum" past!
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