Pets love us unconditionally. They're also great for our health—mentally and physically. Caring for pets can boost self-esteem, prevent loneliness, and even lower heart rate and blood pressure in some people. Growing up with a pet can be wonderful for kids. But remember that although the experience gives kids a sense of responsibility, only adults [...]
Pets offer companionship, something to nurture, unconditional love, and a sense of security in new situations. And pets can relieve stress, which may help explain why studies have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The nurturing role Taking care of an animal that cares about you and responds to you [...]
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, loved dogs, yet he never mentioned them in his research. Only recently have scientists begun to analyze the way we humans relate to other species. Perhaps that's because we need to make sense of the close connections so many people have with their pets, from pythons to parrots, and [...]
Nothing beats the love and companionship that a dog or cat can bring into your life. If you've been thinking about adding a cuddly new cat or dog to your household, take some time to think about what type of pet will best suit you, your family and your lifestyle. Depending on what type of [...]
Move, stretch, take breaks—does that sound like a workout? Does it sound like work? The office may seem like an odd place to work out, but you spend most of your day there. Exercise can keep you healthy, make you more productive and head off workplace injuries. Even short bursts of movement count. Keep on [...]
How much control do you have over your negative feelings? According to research, a lot more than you might think. In fact, there is always more than one way to view an event, and how you view any situation has a lot to do with how you then feel. Your views also influence your actions. [...]
Staying healthy mentally and physically isn't simply a matter of good genes. It's a proactive project that lasts your entire life. Like a finely tuned machine, your body needs preventive maintenance. Experts offer the following suggestions to help you keep your body and mind running like a well-oiled machine. Use the right fuel To stay [...]
Performing small acts of kindness and gratitude can make people happier, researchers believe, but how this occurs is more of a puzzle. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, has studied happiness for more than 20 years. She and others know that positive activities boost positive emotions, thoughts and behavior, [...]
Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could 'mentally' hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behavior that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. [...]
People who experience or witness workplace bullying are more likely to have prescriptions for antidepressants, sleeping pills and tranquilizers, a new study finds. Previous research has shown that workplace bullying affects mental health, but it hasn't been clear whether this leads to a greater need for drug treatment or if the impact is similar for [...]