Yes, it’s true… a dog will improve your life and your ability to act as a leader.
An overflowing amount of studies have proved that owning a dog is a two-way street. Your dog relies on you for everything, yet they are assisting and taking care of you also.
Here’s just a handful out of the countless ways how (by proven studies) dogs better you exponentially: Physically, mentally, and in your leadership position.
1. Physically
- You take your dog out on walks, which averages 300 minutes of walking per week, compared to non-dog owners with an average of 168 minutes, which means a lower blood pressure and lower chance of getting a heart disease.
- Many dogs can learn to detect cancer, most commonly colorectal cancer in a person’s breath or stool with 91 to 98 percent accuracy.
- Dogs help owners make sure they don’t eat foods they are allergic to, as they can detect peanuts for example in items at even the slightest trace.
- Your children will most likely get less allergies and asthma. Babies who interact with a dog in the house have been found to have fewer colds and ear infections as well.
2. Mentally
- Owning a dog, or even just petting a dog, soothes stress and releases relaxation hormones, bringing you quicker towards feeling happiness and putting you in an overall better mood.
- Your dog allows your mind to feel a balance with the world. They make you appreciate the simple things in life, away from the overflow of information, tasks, and technology in our brains.
- A dog will make you feel more attractive and interesting. A few studies even suggest that you will end up with more potential love matches and long-lasting relationships as a result.
- A dog is the cure for loneliness. Clinical depression will never be a fear, as your dog will always be by your side. Medical visits and depression-related disorders are four times less likely, especially if you are older.
3. In Your Leadership Position
- You will be forced to be social amongst a variety of different people. Interaction is strengthened whether you’re walking your dog in public, having guests over… you are learning your characteristics and personality traits that transition into the workplace.
- Dogs always keep you on your toes, in a good way. They influence you to be a smart, quick, and critical thinker, allowing you to deal with high importance decisions powerfully. Being able to handle these decisions will separate you as a man from the boys (or woman from the girls).
- The social relationship benefits are deep and long lasting. A strong connection to your dog reported more of a connection to your organization’s community and work teams, which can be invaluable to a leader.
- Adventure and progression: Dogs simply inspire you to go for the gold. They take their everyday happenings as a breathtaking adventure, and your company will progress and your stake in the company will certainly improve with such a mindset.
Whether you own a dog or another pet entirely, feel free to comment below with your own personal experiences how they improved your stance as a leader and/or life as a whole dramatically.
Anthony’s Take:
It’s not a simple coincidence that many CEOs and successful individuals in general have pets. Managing stress is essential for a leader who wants to achieve exceptional performance. So what’s the connection? The time you spend with your dog and the walks you take them on, both produce an increased level of oxytocin, a stress relieving hormone found in the brain. The benefits of exercise is a no-brainer, the unconditional love of a dog is a gift, and like a leadership partner, an ally by your side at all times.