There are a lot of things our pets can teach us. Of course, our dogs
can teach us a lot as well. It sounds a little unusual, because
these are we who teach, bring up, train our pets, dictate our rules
of life and behavior.
But a clever and attentive person will find a lot to learn from a dog as well.
What features are inborn for dogs and what of them are useful for us as an example?
1. Forget about multiple functions. You are not a Julius Caesar.
When a dog has a work, it gives all of its attention to it. It will be useful to follow this rule for us, people. The researchers of the Stanford's University came to the conclusion, that the memory and attention diseases are more common for people, who do several tasks at the same time. For example, people working at the PC, checking e-mail, social networks and surfing in the net at the same time suffer more from mental diseases and lost of attention and memory, than those, who just concentrate at one task. Scientists have confirmed, that people who distract their attention to different tasks, are just wasting their time.
2. Is there someone fond of napping?
Any dog, even an inborn watchdog and guard, always finds time for napping during a day. Though its napping is very sensitive. There are authentic arguments, that people may have benefit from day-napping. The research with 24,000 people involved points, that people, who like to nap in day time have 37% less chances to die from heart diseases, than people napping rarely. Short nap makes people work more efficient.
3. Walking is healthy.
It does not matter, whether one has 2 or 4 legs - it is healthy to walk. It is one of the simplest ways to burn excess calories and tone up heart. Regular walking helps:
-break depression;
-lose excess weight;
-reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer of mammary gland and intestines;
-keep your bones strong;
-make one more occasion to go to breathe fresh air.
4. Dogs inspire friendly feelings.
People are social beings and that's why friendship has positive influence on human health. Australian researchers found out (1500 middle-aged people involved within 10 years), that people with many friends had 22% less chances to die, than people with just several friends.
5. Live now and here.
To learn to live in a present moment is one of the most important and precious lessons, that our pets can give us. Psychologists of Harward came to the conclusion, that people feel happier and lively, when engaged with some activity that makes them always be concentrated. For example, making love or physical exercises.
If a person always plans future or thinks over the past, instead of concentrating on the present action, it may destroy one's feeling of happiness. By the way, constant thinking over takes too much time.
6. No hard feelings. Forgiveness.
Whatever one may tell about dog's ability to get insulted, dogs may give us the lessons of forgiveness. You will have to praise and punish your dog many times in your life, but it will quickly forgive your strictness.
Let the past be in the past. Leave all insults, anger and offenses behind - and it will be literally easier to breathe. For example, anger restricts the function of lungs. But forgiveness reduces arterial pressure and feeling of fear.
7. Wagging tail.
As you know, dog "smile" with its tail. If it feels positive emotions, it wags its tail. We should more frequently smile and express our positive emotions. Scientists admitted a great connection of the feeling of gratitude with health and wellness. At the research people, who had the diary of gratitude, perceived the world around more positive, led more active way of life, and less complained for their state of health.
8. Be curious.
Curiosity of dogs has no limits. As we know, without the owner's control, it may be dangerous. But curiosity may be useful for you! Curious people have more sense of life. In addition, it develops your knowledge and outlook!
9. Don't be too serious!
It appears, that it is harmful to be too serious. But there is a good news for those, who have a great sense of humor, or people who like fun and jokes. Cardiologists of Maryland's medical center now may confirm that people with good sense of humor have a more healthy heart. They came to the conclusion, that laugh is the best medicine for heart toning up.
10. The power of touch.
Any dog likes owner's attention. They like to get praise, good food, toys and petting as well. Any dog owner knows places on a dog body which a dog likes to be petted on.
Never ignore the power of touch. Let your close people feel that they are supported and loved.
11. Drink more water.
Dogs do not drink sport beverages while training. But they drink water very often. And they are right. Any chemical substitute, drink or beverage will not substitute usual water for your body natural processes. And water is absolutely free of calories.
12. Eat fish.
I don't think that your dog will not eat fish. Even the tastiest and the most expensive feed will not substitute fish for a dog. You can make fish a part of your daily ration as well. Salmon, tuna, trout and other fat fish with high containing of omega 3 acids are able to reduce the risk of heart diseases, pressure and arthritis. Moreover, people, who eat fish at least once a week for 60% reduce risk to fall ill with Alzheimer's disease.
13. If you love - do not hide your feelings.
Dogs never hide their feelings. If you come home from work or just come from 10 minutes of absence - your dog is never shy to show how it is glad to see you. The similar behavior with your beloved will help you to make your relationship stronger. Think it over: do you often smile to a beloved person, hug and tell tender words? It really means a lot.
14. Play!
Play is not only for kids and puppies. Stuart Brown writes in his book "Play", that plays are important need for people, as well as sleep and food. Plays develop intelligence, creativity and abilities to decide various problems. Thus, let yourself play sometimes without any definite purpose except of joy.
15. Enjoy fresh air.
Your dog will never deny to walk in fresh air like in the park, or forest, or anywhere where the air is fresh. Of course, it is healthy for you as well. Walking in fresh air stimulates physical tone, elaboration of vitamin D in blood, and it reduces stress. Children playing in fresh air have a very good sight and attention. They learn well at school.
16. Neatness.
Neatness is healthy and quite positive for our life in different aspects: socializing, work, image, hygiene. Our dogs like to be clean as well. It is a part of the instinct of self-preservation.
17. Learn the body language.
Dogs know perfectly what their moves mean. People cannot boast with such a brilliant ability. Though, it may help a lot in your life and understanding in different situations.
18. Stretch yourself.
Your dog likes to stretch yourself after sleep and after play, training or when it is tired. It is a very good method to relax muscles. In the research during 10 weeks people who did not do any physical exercises except of stretching felt much better, stronger and flexible. It can be good alternative for people, who have no ability to go in for sports.
19. Stay in a shadow.
After running and playing in fresh air your dog probably prefers to have a rest in a shadow place. Dermatologists advice to follow this example, especially from 10 AM till 4 PM.
20. Keep to a timetable.
Our pets get used to a definite timetable. They do not understand that you may have a day-off or a weekend and change their timetable (of walking, feeding etc.). The same constancy would be healthy for us as well. People sleep better if go to bed and wake up at the same time, independent whether it is a work day or a day off.
The list of positive advices from our pets could be longer. Look after your dog and may be it will teach you more.