About 3 out of 5 Americans feel lonely.
Whether you’re working remotely, a stay-at-home parent, or simply feel trapped in your head, loneliness can be overwhelming. Thankfully, you don’t need a romantic relationship to open up your heart, and life. Instead, an emotional service animal can be the perfect way to help you get the companionship and love your craving.
Who else can benefit from getting an emotional support dog? Read on to find out!
1. You’re Restless More Than Rested
The first sign that you might need an emotional support dog, would be if you’re having trouble sleeping through the night. It’s normal to feel restless now and then, especially if you’re dealing with stressful life situations. However, when you’re continually having trouble catching enough Z’s at night, it can have a major impact on your physical and mental well-being.
Thankfully, a well-trained emotional support animal can help alleviate your stress. Instead of relying on prescription medications, your support animal can help you soothe your way to sleep. Places like American Service Pets can help you start the process of getting a certified service animal.
2. Social Situations Make You Nervous
Another sign you might need a dog for emotional support would be if you find social situations anxiety-inducing. There are different levels of social anxiety disorder also called SAD. Individuals who suffer from social anxiety can be overwhelmed even by the smallest encounters.
Instead of feeling as if the world is accepting and welcoming, everything appears as a threat. Thankfully, an emotional support dog is a trusted friend, so you don’t feel alone when it comes time to socialize. Having a familiar face, even if it’s furry, can be a tremendous relief!
3. Anger Is a Part of Your Daily Life
Do you find yourself getting angry every day? There are a million different reasons that could be contributing to the source of your anger. While working with a therapist can be a wonderful tool for anger management, the process takes time. It’s not easy rewiring your brain to go from angry reactions to empathetic ones.
However, when you have a support dog they can help guide you along your emotional journey. When you start to feel uptight, your dog will pick up on the change in atmosphere. As you notice your dog’s observations about how you feel, you’ll become more emotionally aware.
Soon, little things that you start to do before you get really angry, will become a parent to you. For instance, perhaps before you get upset your prone to sign. Your dog can learn that sighing is a cue you need help, and will come to comfort you. Petting your dog, the anger can start to subside instead of build.
Find Your Emotional Support Dog
After reading this article, do you think getting an emotional support dog is the right choice for you? Perhaps you’re already doing something to improve your mental health, such as therapy, and you’re ready to take it to the next level. Or maybe you’re brand new to the world of mental wellness, and you’re simply looking for ways to thrive.
Whatever the case may be if you think a support dog could enrich your life, start looking into the steps you’ll need to take to get the process going. For more fun tips like these, read another article.
