Getting Healthy with your dog in 2024!

We are kicking off 2024  with a time  of reflection and positive intentions, without a doubt we make new year resolutions for ourselves every year,  but how can we make this year different then years in the past? Can we include our dog to keep us healthy? what a better partner to be get us motivated and spending time with our dogs and doing with fitness plans and hikes, even eating healthier, let’s face it, getting healthier with your dogs- no only  motivating, but according to the American Heart Association having a pet may help you live longer and  healthier  and  pets can benefit your health in many different ways that can help raise fitness levels they can also lower stress blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.  Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked in several health benefits including decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, levels of triglycerides levels, feeling of lowliness anxiety and PTSD. Dog owners are 31% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke and heart attacks events.  A dog living in a home  reduced risk of death by  65%,  research even suggests that people with dogs are less likely to experience an increased heart rate or blood pressure elevate elevations in times of stress and that both are more likely to return to normal levels this reduces the overall levels of stress on the body helps heart rate stay healthy in fact playing with a dog and cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which make us feel calm and relaxed.

1. Start your day with a walk with your dog. Walking doesn't only provide you and your dog with exercise that's great for your heart. There is a source of mental and stimulation to your dog and to you every day when you walk that helps bond with your dog.  Try new trails and new ways of training and tips with your dog while you walk try different communications with your dog have eye contact with your dog while you're walking this is a perfect way to not only build your relationship with your dog and your training skills this will also start the day off right and get your steps in for the day, what could be better than for your heart. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of aerobic activity of moderate intensity activities such as walking this include improved muscular strengths, circulation, memory and sleep as well as increase exercise energy reduce stress and some say you'll even lose weight just being outside alone and, in the sun, experience less depression, and with any program there are social benefits too while meeting other dog walkers seems like a win win to me.

2. Bonding with your dog through yoga or fitness it's so beneficial exercise is a fantastic opportunity to bond with your dog maybe even try dog yoga stretching and it’s very important for dogs as well benefits of having a dog make us feel less alone dogs are good for your heart dogs help you stop stressing out dogs can help you cope in times of crisis.

3. Adding structure and routine to your day many pets, especially dogs require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. Having a consistent routine keeps an animal balanced and can work for you too no matter your mood to press anxiety and stress from one point of view from your pet and you'll have to get out of bed and exercise and care for them.

4. People who walk their dogs have been seen to be more approachable and friendly to other people, it has also been shown that stroking or petting your dog can also reduce the physiological indicators of stress including high blood pressure.

5. It's not only good for people to be walking their dog, but over the years obesity in pets has become a problem and  is associated with a number of medical complaints including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin disease in dogs, so walking your dog can be beneficial for both, you and your dog most dogs need to be walked three times or four times a day particularly very active dogs they may require more depending on the breed.

The Skinny in 2024 is getting fit with your dog- definitely takes a “bite” out of a portion of cardiovascular disease!