Longevity Social Media and Updates

Dogs Extend Life Through Walks, Purpose, and Oxytocin

Honored and delighted to be interviewed by Steven Petrow for this article in the Washington Post. It's titled, "Can having a dog boost your longevity? Here's what science says." I talked about how dogs encourage you to walk, at least twice a day, to socialize, as many people like to pet your dog and learn about your dog. Dogs give people a sense of purpose, a reason for getting out of bed in the morning. In fact, your dog often wakes you up, wagging its tail and looking to play. What was not in the article is that dogs can also help you feel good by encouraging you to laugh when they do silly things. When you pet your dog, you release oxytocin, which is a neuropeptide that helps you feel good. It's often called the love hormone. The good news is that the dog's oxytocin also increases, so it feels good, too. Dogs also help us live in the moment and pay attention to the here and now, as they are constantly sniffing, looking, and listening attentively to everything around them. Having a dog is one of the most wonderful things in my life. I feel like Athena, our German Shepherd, is an important member of our family. She brings us great joy each day. Here's the link: https://t.co/pIDLEIXH0E #dogs #pets #health #happiness #dogsarelove #lifestylemedicine #pavingwellness