Wellness Wednesday: 5 ways your dog helps when you’re working from home

Dogs help relieve stress and isolation, among other benefits.

Working from home? Some of us are lucky enough to be able to work in the comfort of our own home, amidst the current restrictions, which means our furry best friends get to spend an unprecedented amount of time with us. Do you think they are wondering why we are home all the time?

At YuMOVE, we are fully embracing being with our pooches every day and thankful to be able to feel the benefits of having them around in the current climate. To all the dogs out there, we thank you for providing us with these five big benefits when working from home.

1. Dogs are miracle stress relievers.

It’s said that spending just a few minutes with your pooch can help lower your blood pressure, ease your anxiety levels and bump up levels of serotonin and dopamine — chemicals important for your well-being. So, if you are spending 24/7 with your dog, you should essentially be a picture of calm! When there’s a dog in the (home) office, their presence has been shown to reduce tension and help you perform stressful tasks more efficiently.

2. Isolation isn’t so isolating.

Dogs give us a reason to get up in the morning, all wagging tails and enthusiasm. Your dog’s need for a morning walk — and all the things they depend on us for — help us to focus not just on our own needs and motivate us to get up and get moving.

They are also great at giving unconditional love in all circumstances. Not in a great mood? No worries —your dog has your back. Felt like you have made a mistake at work? No worries — your dog has your back. Feeling lonely not seeing your family or friends? No worries — your dog has your back. We all know the uplifting feeling of saying, “Walk?” in front of your dog, or the joy they have when you return to the room you have just left. Your dog loves you and can act as a great social support, which is extra helpful in the current times.

3. Dogs can lift your mood.

We rely on our dogs, and they rely on us. This relationship can help those with anxiety or depression. Caring for your pooch and having them to focus on, especially in times when you are cooped up working from home, can relieve feelings of depression or feeling down. It’s in times like these that mental health matters even more.

4. We’re more productive.

A lot of us feel the need to be desk bound when working from home and to be as productive as humanly possible. But having your dog about the house reminds us to take short mental breaks. This could be as simple as letting them out in the yard for a quick run around, having a short cuddle break, or even playing  a 10-minute game of tug of war. These short breaks help us refocus and can refresh our minds, making us ready to tackle that task that has us stumped.

5. They get us moving. 

Working from home gives you the flexibility to use your one form of exercise a day to take your dog out for a walk during lunch. Again, this takes you away from your desk, reducing that desk-like tunnel vision, and also encourages you to eat your lunch elsewhere. Dog owners walk more every week than non-dog owners, and we are all aware of the benefits of exercise on our physical and mental health!

How has your dog helped you adjust to working from home and social distancing? Let us know over on our YuMOVE Facebook community, by sharing your photos and tips for working at home with your dog.

About YuMOVE

YuMOVE is the United Kingdom’s #1 Veterinary Joint Supplement* that helps ease aches and discomfort associated with training and competition. It is proven to sooth stiffness, support long-term joint health and help mobility. (*Kynetec VetTrack January 2020. Sales of YuMOVE branded products through veterinary wholesalers.)