Author: Russell Michelson
Working over 40-hour weeks and struggling to keep up with deadlines is a tough thing to do, whether you’re working from home or out of conventional office settings. If you’re a dog parent, navigating the perfect work-life balance is a lot easier. Simply because your best bud is there to keep you grounded. Use the excuse of taking care of your pet for adopting these fantastic self-care routines. Here are a few interesting ones to get you started.
- Get Regular Exercise and Keep Your Joints in Working Condition
Like your vet will advise, regular exercise for your dog is critical to ensure that their muscles are well-toned and capable of supporting their joints. Restricting activity like running and leaping to the weekends is unhealthy for your canine buddy and their human parents. That’s because sudden spurts of movement stress the joints leading to cranial cruciate damage.
Dogs have a higher probability of developing the condition where the knee tendons rupture. Although the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy or TPLO surgery success rate is high, your buddy will go through the pain and a committed recovery and rehabilitation, all of which can be easily avoided. Incorporate exercise into your routine by taking your dog for a walk around the block. And keep your joints in perfect working condition.
- Ease Stress and Lift Your Spirits with Happy Hormones
Physical activity helps raise blood circulation and boost happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. These chemicals have a calming effect on your mind and are great stress busters. Studies also show that playing with your dog by just tossing a ball or hugging them will have a relaxing effect. When you get back to work at the end of the session, you’ll feel energized and a lot more productive. The same goes for your canine bud, who will be thrilled when you make time for them.
- Eat Healthy Meals
Haven’t you had those crazy work days when mealtimes go unnoticed because you’re so busy chasing deadlines? With your furry pal around, that won’t happen. Make a healthy snack or sip on water or a beverage to keep hydrated while you’re filling the doggy bowl. Pull out fruits like apples, pineapples, and bananas and share them as a special treat. You could also try the dry versions and add nuts like cashews and peanuts to a bowl. Pop a few for instant energy and sneak a couple to the little guy.
- Meditation on The Go
We tend to think of meditation as an activity done in absolute stillness, with the exception of some slow breaths. But a variety of repetitive, peaceful activities can have similar benefits of clearing the mind. Going for a walk with your dog can be a powerful way to shed stress. If you keep getting caught up in your thoughts, a small wearable item–maybe a cool wolf amulet?–can help you remember to let go of the day’s struggles.
- Cuddle Up for a Power Nap
Resting your mind and body with a quick nap is the best self-care ever. The folks at NASA affirm that a power nap lasting 10 to 20 minutes is enough to get you through the first two stages of a complete sleep cycle. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed with none of the grogginess. Watch your little bud try this self-care technique, and you’ll see why that’s an awesome idea. Cuddle up on the couch and grab a short shut-eye.
Try these simple self-care tips for good health and wellness for you and your little fur baby.
