The Benefits of Exercising with Your Dog
Do you feel you’re in a workout rut? Most people need an accountability buddy to help get them off their couch and to keep them active. While this could be a partner, neighbour, or best friend, it could also just as easily be your pet. Dogs make ideal workout partners, and there are numerous benefits to both of you!
Here’s why you should exercise (or even join a virtual fitness challenge) with your dog.
1. It boosts your mood
Exercising helps to boost your mood by increasing your level of endorphins. These are natural mood lifters that fight stress, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Endorphins can also help to realign your sleep patterns and help increase your focus on work and other activities.
Plus, did you realize that exercise can help boost your dog’s mood as well? If you’ve noticed that your dog has been in a funk lately, take them outside to take a walk or run. They’ll love being active, smelling all the scents, and spending time with you! Together, the two of you will feel happier and healthier by exercising together.
2. It lowers your blood pressure
Regular exercise makes your heart stronger, and a stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. As a result, when you exercise, you create less force on your arteries and lower your blood pressure overall. Lowering your blood pressure can help you avoid strokes, heart attacks, and other serious health problems.
3. It strengthens your bond with your pet
How many hours per day are you spending with your pet? If you’re leaving for work each morning and heading into the office, the opportunity to spend quality time is dwindling. Exercise together daily increases the amount of quality time that you spend together daily. You’ll love the companionship you get when you exercise, and they’ll love getting out of the house and doing something out of the ordinary.
4. It keeps you motivated to exercise regularly
Once your dog has gotten to walk or run with you a few times, you’ll never hear the end of it. They’ll become accustomed to the time you typically exercise with them, and they’ll encourage you to stick with the routine. They enjoy getting outside and seeing (or perhaps smelling) the world. Having that extra push even on hard days when you’re tired is exactly how you’ll be able to make it happen. Plus, a dog doesn’t understand the normal excuses. You may be able to tell a human that you’re just not up for exercising... man’s best friend won’t hear of it!
Final thoughts
When you find an accountability buddy in your pet, you’ll find that you’re much more successful in sticking to your workout routine. If you’re looking for a new challenge, check out one of our virtual fitness challenges. You and your dog can participate anytime and anywhere to boost your health and companionship.
Check out our challenges to learn more as each challenge has the option to add a medal for your dog too!