According to Gus, the best way to beat stress is to cuddle up with loved ones…specifically those with 4 legs!
We all know this time of year is hectic. Our last couple of months have been especially busy. We had out-of-state visitors over Thanksgiving, M’s parents were here for a week at the beginning of December, and my parents fly in Christmas evening (woohoo!). Let me tell you, that is a lot of excitement for our household. We’ve done our best to limit the disruptions to Gus’s schedule. He’s definitely a creature of habit and turns into “Mr. Grumpy Pants” when there’s an unexpected change.
While reading the December issue of Prevention Magazine, an article on stress management caught my attention. According to studies in the article, pets are calming when you’re going through a stressful event (i.e. crazy holiday planning)…even more calming than humans! You can view the article here.
I decided to heed the advice of the article and snuggled with Gus on the couch last night after feeling particularly stressed about upcoming holiday details. It worked! After a quick snooze (he slept with his chin on my leg…awww), I felt more energized and tackled my to-do list with gusto.
So, if you begin to feel stressed this holiday season, snuggle with your pet! And, if all else fails, look at puppy pictures. It’ll melt the stress right away…guaranteed.
Gus -- May 2005
Merry Christmas Eve to you all!
According to Gus 
raisingdaisy
December 24, 2010
What a coincidence – my parents are flying in on Christmas evening also! Yes it’s true that dogs reduce stress; it’s one of the many gifts they give us all year long. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Gus!
According to Gus
December 24, 2010
Yay for parents flying in! Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Opie and Opie's Mom
December 24, 2010
Great post. I didn’t read that same article, but there was a program on the discovery channel that talked about the beneficial effects of dogs. Dogs cause us to release Oxytocin. This is the nurturing hormone — it’s what makes Mama’s forget the pain of childbirth, and feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s a mutual thing. They make us feel loveable and loved and we do the same for them. I’ll bet Gus’s grumpiness diminished as well. It just makes sense even if there weren’t scientifc proof. We all know what we feel when that warm fuzzy body is leaning into us for a head scratch and a chin rub.
Happy Holidays!
Opie’s Mom
According to Gus
December 24, 2010
You’re so right…there’s nothing like that warm fuzzy body next to us. Happy Holidays to you, Opie, and your entire family!
tiffy40
December 24, 2010
What an adorable puppy pic! Have a Merry Christmas from Tiffy the Yorkie and family:)
According to Gus
December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas to you too Tiffy and Family!
Kristine
December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas Gus! To you and your wonderful family. I hope you get more cuddling than you can stand. 🙂
Basil and Guinness
December 27, 2010
Hmm so dats why maw is holding us and kissing us so much like Elmira from Tiny Toons. But it’s okay. We like it when she does dat.
Snorts,
Basil and guinness