Tag Archives: Stress

Tips for Handling Stress, From the Dog

Dogs & Other Animals, Thoughts On Life, , , , ,
greyhound on the patio
Cassius enjoying a beautiful day.

From my perspective, the world is suffering with lots of unhappiness, discontent, and hypersensitivity. This could be taken on a worldwide level, but I also see it in individuals that I encounter as I go about my life. People are quick to take offense. More people are on antidepressants than ever before. The National Institute of Health says that in 2020 use of antidepressants was 20% higher than the previous five years. This is mostly attributed to the Covid epidemic.

In my view, I think we are still suffering the fallout from the Covid epidemic. I anticipate that it will have long term effects. Children have had the formative years of their lives affected. Adults have had the behavior of years of their lives affected. And anything that lasts for years has permanent effects. The ripples caused, have far reaching effects.

The above being said, this is not intended to be a post about negativity, but a post about hope and the difference we can make as individuals, for ourselves and others. Take some ideas from dogs everywhere.

  1. Enjoy the day! Every day has something beautiful to offer. Relish the sunshine and fresh air. Take in the beauty around you. Enjoy nature: the flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, the scent of flowers. All free to experience. If you don’t have these things at home, head out to a local park.
  2. Being in nature is one of the best ways to ground yourself. There is a new name given to an experience as old as mankind-forest bathing. It’s harder to focus on yourself when you are in nature. You see that you are one piece of an entire world. It gives you a chance to clear your mind which lets you take in new information and form new thoughts and ideas.
  3. Our dogs love hiking as do we. Not only are you immersed in nature (see above!), moving your body releases tension and improves your life overall. You become physically and mentally healthier.
  4. Go out in public and visit with people. This can improve mental health and help you to see yourself as part of the larger community.

Cassius loves visiting people. He gets depressed if he doesn’t get to go somewhere from time to time. A few weeks ago, he went to a local farmer’s market and was petted and oohed over by dozens of people. It made his day and theirs’ too. On Saturday, we took him, and Claire the sheltie, to Art in the Park in Kent. They visited with at least a hundred people, I’m sure. This was Claire’s first time a at such an event. She did great! At first, she didn’t know what to make of it. I could see her processing in her mind what all those people were doing there. She wasn’t afraid, and she let everyone who approached pet her. About halfway through, I saw a change in her. She decided that this was fun and started smiling when people approached and enjoyed that attention they gave her. This is the power of interactions.

Shetland Sheepdog
Claire

I was also happy that Claire took to the crowds and interactions so well, because I have been thinking that the time has come to get her certified as my next therapy dog. Shelby still does visits with me and enjoys the work for a time. At 13 1/2 years old, she tires more quickly than she used to. She is still happy to go anywhere with mom though!

So, get busy enjoying your day, and your week, and your life! If you are happier, those around you will be happier. Joy breeds more joy. So, don’t you owe it to yourself to be happier and make the world a happier place?

Using a Kong Toy to Reduce Stress

Dogs & Other Animals, ,

Dog and Kong
Zekie and his Kong toy.

I have found a way that Zekie is not so severely stressed when I must leave him in his crate. He is just a little stressed. This is quite an improvement for him.

I break a dog biscuit in half, spread peanut butter on each half, and toss them inside a Kong toy. (Make sure the peanut butter does not have xylitol in it. This is hazardous to dogs. I use natural to be safe. ) Sometimes I throw a carrot in too. I spread the remainder of the peanut butter from the knife around the inside of the Kong. The peanut butter keeps the treats stuck inside the toy so he has to work to get them out. This gives him something to do to occupy his mind. Zekie will go in his crate on command if he sees I have the Kong loaded. I used to have to find him and put him in his crate. Now he is willing to go for this special treat.

I also have a bone shaped Kong that I put a baby carrot in each end of, before I put Claire in her crate. Claire doesn’t mind her crate, I just like to give her a treat too. The other dogs don’t require a crate when we go away.

Often times, the treats are still stuck inside Zekie’s Kong when I return home and let him out of his crate. When this happens, he takes the Kong with him wherever he goes. He even carries it with him outside and back in, lest any of the other dogs find and confiscate it. I will eventually dig the treats out and hand them to Zekie.

The distracting toy makes for a much happier Zekie upon my return. And he is not covered in nearly as much “stress drool” this way. Give it a try and see if it makes your pup happier too.

Chill!

Dogs & Other Animals, Thoughts On Life, ,

Not getting much done even though you have more time available with the self isolation and shelter in place that is going on across our country and much of the world?

It’s ok, just chill!

I have read that this is a natural reaction to the stress and trauma that is creeping across the world along with the coronavirus. It’s a common reaction.

I didn’t think it was affecting me much until I dropped a jar of yeast, breaking a tile in our marble kitchen floor, forgot something major, and locked us out of the house with my keys still inside. All within a few hours.

This is highly unusual behavior for me. I tend to be very precise in thought and behavior. Probably due to all those years of thinking like a scientist. Or maybe I’m just anal.

We all need to take it easy on ourselves right now. Life is hard and stressful enough. Cut yourself some slack.