Dogs at Work Are Good For Your Mental Health
Today may be Take Your Dog to Work Day, but there are benefits of bringing your furry friend into the office every day.
Transcription:
Bringing a dog to work can actually benefit mental health.
Pets in the workplace are becoming much more common, and companies like Google and Amazon have adopted dog-friendly work spaces.
A 2017 study shows that dogs at work provide social support, which can reduce stress in employees.
“It’s just nice to be at work and maybe you’re stressed out, but the you see this cute dog sitting there and he’s just so happy and just wants to hang out with you and you’re like ‘OK, I can take a second and release my anxiety and just hang out with this dog and play’ and it just gets better.”
Increased social support is associated with lower levels of depression, better job performance, more engaged workplace relationships and can help people with serious mental illness return to work and stay employed.
Employees who bring dogs also get sunlight and exercise breaks, both of which have been proven to positively affect mental health.
“When I promise myself I’m gonna’ take a break, it’s really easy to blow that off. But if you’re taking care of someone it’s good motivation because even if you wouldn’t do it for yourself, you have to take your dog out.”
Talk to your employer about bringing dogs into the office.
After all, it’s good for your mental health!
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