fit tips
DOGS
&
HEALTHIER
LIVING
5
by J. Blake Craft, J.D.
& Pirate
LOWERED
RISK OF
DIABETES
People with
pups are less
likely to develop diabetes by
33%. In fact, dogs can even
sense changes in your blood
sugar levels!
LESS DOCTORS
VISITS
6
According to
researchers at the
UCLA, dog owners visit medical
health professionals less than
those who do not own dogs.
7
Out of nowhere, it’s
March already! We’re
a quarter of the way
through the year, but are
you a quarter of the way
to your New Years’ goals?
If your goal is a healthier
you and you think you
should be further along,
consider incorporating a
dog into your life. That’s
right –grab your pup,
your neighbors pup, or
maybe even a new furry
companion, and take
advantage of these
9 ways your canine
friend can improve
your physical fitness
and overall health.
BUILT-IN FITNESS
MACHINES
1 3
On a good week with
decent weather, dogs
and their humans will walk, hike,
run, sprint, and even swim. Pups
not only provide exercise, but
also variety.
2
Activity and Health, those with
dogs hit their exercise goals
more consistently than those
without.
HITTING
WEEKLY
EXERCISE
GOALS
According to
research conducted by Michigan
State University, people and
their pups are more likely to
walk 2.5 hours or more a week
than those without pups. Also,
per the Journal of Physical
DOGS PUSH YOU
HARDER
Interestingly enough,
the University of
Missouri found that people
who walked with a buddy only
increased their pace by an
average of 4%, while those who
walked with their pup increased
their pace by over 25%!
GREATER LEVEL
OF EXERCISE
COMMITMENT
BETTER MENTAL
HEALTH
In a recent Psychology
Today article, Stanley
Coren, PhD., DSc, FRSC,
discussed how pups not only
help with physical health and
increasing overall lifespan,
but also how they improve
their humans’ mental health
by decreasing thoughts of
loneliness, depression, and
improving self-esteem.
BETTER
SOCIAL SKILLS
4 9
In the same University
of Missouri study, researchers
found that dog owners kept to
their routine more than those
without dogs.
8
Per Harvard
Health, dog
owners are more
likely to socialize and form
friendships as they take their
furry companions on trips and
walks where they are likely to
run into other dogs, dog owners,
and neighbors.
A HEALTHY
HEART
According to WebMD,
simply spending time
with a dog and rubbing their
head can lower a person’s blood
pressure as well as release
serotonin and dopamine, which
help you relax.
enhance magazine | MARCH 2018
23