Spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and anxiety in human beings.
![Dogs relieve feelings of stress and anxiety](/image-library/partners/bang/land/1000/s/sleeping-with-a-dog-has-lots-of-health-benefits-aW1hZ2VzMS8y.jpg)
Dogs relieve feelings of stress and anxiety
Boffins have discovered that spending time with pooches generates electrical activity in the area of the brain associated with relaxation, concentration and attention.
A team from Konkuk University in South Korea asked 30 adults to perform eight different activities with a well-trained poodle and the analysis revealed the strength of alpha brainwaves increased when participants played with and walked the canine, reflecting a state of relaxation.
The study authors wrote in the journal Plos One: "This study demonstrated that specific dog activities could activate stronger relaxation, emotional stability, attention, concentration and creativity by facilitating increased brain activity."
Reacting to the findings, Dr. Jacqueline Boyd - a senior lecturer in animal science at Nottingham Trent University - said that the results are "unlikely to be a surprise to canine caregivers".
She said: "To have quantitative measurement of brain activity in people during direct interactions of different types of dogs, further adds to our understanding of the human-dog relationship."
Tagged in Pets