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Dogs have long been called man's best friend, and now the statement has been given extra gravitas by scientific research suggesting pets could actually add years to your life.迷你倉Psychologist Sally Lee Tze-yan says dogs can shield people from certain kinds of illness, both mental and physical. "Existing psychological research indicates that owning a dog helps lower one's blood pressure and cholesterol level," she says. "The link is quite obvious, as pets are spiritual sustenance to owners. They help divert attention from daily pressure. It is also said that people who own dogs have higher self-esteem and are less likely to suffer from depression, due to an optimistic mindset that they have the company of animals."In addition, keeping pets that require regular walks is beneficial to the owner's health, such as maintaining weight, reducing blood pressure and improving cardiovascular fitness," she adds.Lee also points out that keeping a dog increases socialisation, quoting a 2007 study by Queen's University Belfast, which was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. The lead researcher, Dr Deborah Wells, suggested that an intimate social climate played an important role, as owning a dog could also help with making social contacts, which may enhance the owner's physiological and psychological health.Elderly people are likely to benefit more from keeping a dog, according to Lee. "The benefits are particularly strong for elderly people," she says. "One study observed neural activity in seniors while they walked or interacted with a dog. It turns out that walking a dog gives elderly people a boost in parasympathetic nervous system activity, which helps calm the body."Cats are also credited for similar health improvements in their owners. According to a study by the Min自存倉esota Stroke Institute, owning a cat can reduce a person's chance of dying from heart disease. The study followed more than 4,300 cat owners for over 10 years, and came to the conclusion that people who owned cats are 30 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack.Dr Adnan Qureshi, executive director of the Minnesota Stroke Institute at the University of Minnesota, described the magnitude of the effect as "a little bit surprising". He said pet ownership should be perceived as a low-cost and low-risk medical intervention that could potentially save or extend lives, especially for the elderly. He also suggested that cats, dogs or other pets may give owners other medical benefits.Lee says that from a psychological point of view, every type of pet can achieve the same effects. "I think keeping a pet and knowing that you can find company in pets is what matters most. Generally, pet owners become more optimistic and caring over time. What type of pet does not really matter - it is the perception that matters most."She adds that children can also benefit from growing up with a pet in the family. "The fascination of looking after a pet could trigger children's interest in the natural world and help encourage a sense of responsibility. I don't think that would be different whether a family is keeping a dog, a cat, a hamster or fish. At the end of the day, they all require attention from owners," Lee says."That being said, pets are more than just a companion to kill time. It is important to bear in mind that pets are not accessories. They deserve respect and they have rights. A pet may be just a part of its owner's life, but the owner means everything to the pet. My suggestion is to seriously think about whether you can take care of a pet for its whole life before taking it home."迷你倉