In fact, 74 percent of pet owners report improvement in their mental health from pet ownership.ДЄs we mentioned before, cuddling with your pet leads to the release of oxytocin, the chemical that reduces stress and elevates your mood. Have you heard of вЂњ The Pet EffectвЂќ? ItвЂ™s the phenomenon which involves reduced levels of stress and anxiety while your pet is around. If youвЂ™re waking up tired, try sleeping with your dog! 8. For reference, a sleep efficiency score of 100 is perfect. They found that humans had an 81 percent sleep efficiency and the dogs an 85 percent sleep efficiency. Participants (and their dogs) wore a sleep tracker for seven nights. One study recently found that humans who slept with a dog in their bedroom kept a better routine and were able to sleep more efficiently. Sleep efficiency is a score calculated to determine how much time you actually spend sleeping while you are in bed. The companionship, security and relaxation your dog can provide is an excellent reason to co-sleep with them. While some people prefer to sprawl out alone, recent studies show that many individuals - especially those who are single - find the presence of a pet helps them sleep. What better way to combat loneliness than with a living bed-warmer? Decreases LonelinessД®specially for those living by themselves, sleeping alone can add to feelings of depression and discomfort. This adds to that snuggly atmosphere that most dog owners find so comforting. That furry, cuddly animal is likely to love lying with you just as much as you enjoy laying with them. The level of comfort a dog brings to the bed helps put you at ease and makes you feel cozy. That same collection of studies found that support animals can be used to diminish nightmares and even help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). All of this creates a better mood and environment for slumber, which can help combat insomnia. Studies show that having a dog in the bed can help relieve insomnia by mitigating anxiety and modifying hyperarousal and hypervigilance. Good news for those who suffer from anxiety-induced insomnia - a dog in the bed can help! There are few things worse than lying awake at night, not being able to sleep. While this can be problematic for overly-protective or sensitive dogs, many people find that knowing their dog is protecting them helps them sleep more soundly. They will let you know immediately if anything is amiss while you are asleep. Think about it - your dogвЂ™s instinct is to protect. A recent study explored how the presence of a pet in bed impacted womensвЂ™ sleep quality and found that it made them feel more secure and comfortable. Increases Sense of SecurityДЇeeling safe can play a large part in how well you sleep. So, next time you are sleeping near your dog, imagine your hearts beating in unison while you experience the deepest, most rejuvenating sleep. This is further proof of the calming effects the presence of a dog can have on the human brain. Studies have shown that when dogs are with their owners their heartbeats synch up. Sleeping with your dog, and the chemicals that accompany the experience, promote theta brainwaves, which are known to occur during the REM stage of sleep. Promotes Theta BrainwavesД«uilding on the fact that sleeping with dogs increases the flow of oxytocin, this also has a profound impact on how deeply we sleep. This essentially makes your dog a living antidepressant! 2. If simply interacting with a dog can treat depression, imagine what sleeping next to one can do! Their presence helps us relax and increases our flow of oxytocin, the love chemical. They found that people who performed activities or therapy with dogs reported fewer depressive symptoms. Reduces DepressionДЄ recent study looked at how animal-assisted activities impacted depressive symptoms in humans. Here weвЂ™ll cover 13 scientifically proven reasons* sleeping with your dog can be beneficial. If youвЂ™re worried that sharing your bed with your dog will impact your sleep quality, you can rest assured. A dogвЂ™s body warmth, steady heartbeat and protective nature can make co-sleeping with them feel safe and cozy. While there has been debate surrounding the subject for years, many studies find that sleeping with your pet can actually be good for you. But is sleeping with your dog a good idea? In fact, 55 percent of pet owners surveyed said they share their bed with at least one dog. For dog owners, itвЂ™s no longer acceptable to relegate your furry friend to the doghouse.

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