5. Outward Displays of Gratefulness
When you come home after a long day of work, your dog likely meets you at the door wagging his tail. If you thought coming home to a happy mutt put a smile on your face, you’ll be surprised to learn that Fido’s outward display of gratefulness is good for him as well. In fact, a joint study between psychologists at the University of California and the University of Miami found that those who showed gratitude (by recognizing the goodness in their lives) lead happier, more optimistic lives with fewer bouts of sickness and doctor’s visits.
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6. Massage Does a Body Good
You can’t watch a cat get a tummy rub without buying into the power of touch. And research from the University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute, at the Miller School of Medicine, supports all of that purring. Scientists concluded that massage or touch from a loved one does the body good—by easing anxiety, boosting immune health, and lessening the symptoms of several chronic conditions.
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7. Sharpen Your Focus
Have you ever watched a dog chasing a ball or a cat trying to coral a chipmunk? No matter how long it takes, cats and dogs give the mission at hand their undivided attention until they nab that ball or rodent. A research study from Stanford University points out that unlike their furry companions, humans who multitask jeopardize their focus, quality of work, and memory when juggling more than one task at a time.