5 Mind Uplifting Abilities of Emotional Support Animals

Coming home to a loyal companion is relaxing. And it’s even much more fulfilling when these furry friends’ light up your face as they welcome you playfully.

Ever stopped to wonder why the wag of a puppy’s tail calms you down when you’re nervous, or suddenly makes you feel better? Generally, the soothing purr of a cat or a curious look from a dog can sway or wipe away any negative feelings. Yet, many people remain unaware of the mental health benefits that come with ESA’s.

Get your ESA Letter and avail the benefits that come with it!

An Emotional Support Animal is not your ordinary pet. Neither is it like a service animal that performs specific duties throughout the day.

An ESA can be a dog or cat, or else any other animal that provides you with comfort and support when you are dealing with a distressing situation or mental health issue. An ESA offers companionship, relieves loneliness as well as alleviates anxiety. 

Health Benefits of ESA Pets

Who Needs Emotional Support Animal?

Mental health professionals such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist are authorized to prescribe an ESA to their patients. Patients will qualify for an ESA letter if they have conditions such as:

• Anxiety
• Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorders
• Depression
• Other mental health disorder

Is There a Link Between Mood, Health, and ESA?

An individual’s mental health can affect their mood and general view of life. In fact, there exists a strong link between good mental wellness and optimal physical health.

Persons with mental health issues will struggle with lethargy, heart conditions, digestive problems, and other health complications.

Here’s how ESA can boost your well-being.

1. Increased physical activity

Mental health disorders can keep one from engaging in physical activities. However, owning an ESA that needs constant jogs will give you the motivation and company you need to hit the road.

Exercise increases the amount of oxygen pumped to your heart, and the activity is beneficial for the absorption of nutrients supplied to your body tissues. Also, your muscles become stronger, thus protecting your bones from injury or joint-related problems.

What’s more, since dogs enjoy walks and runs, these physical activities not only help you change your routine but also boost your morale.

2. Alleviates moments of stress and anxiety

Many subjects struggling with mental health issues experience anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Also, during these incidents, they may feel irritable, tense, or apprehensive.

Even so, a faithful dog or cat can always be there for you in such moments. If the owner is struggling with such emotional distress, the dog ‘knows’ how to stay put and offer unconditional love, and connectedness.

Inherently, therapy animals give the owner adequate attention and will focus on the well-being of the handler until their normal function resumes.

Don’t let stress get to you – apply for an ESA letter now!

3. Gives a sense of purpose

ESA’s have daily needs, including feeding, grooming, and exercise. Moreover, these pets appreciate routine. An ESA owner is, therefore, more likely to be engaged with these activities, giving them a sense of purpose.

Aside from improving your self-esteem and sense of belonging, support animals can help you cope with any mental turmoil you could be going through.

Most ESA’s enjoy gentle rubs, pats, and occasional cuddling; such gestures are their way of expressing love and affection. When an ESA owner focuses on the pet’s needs, the attention makes the handler feel a sense of responsibility, thus distracting them from their own problems.

4. Give unconditional love and affection

Human relationships can be intricate, thus making bonding even harder for one dealing with mental health issues. Innately, this kind of environment can often make a subject desolate or else lonely, further aggravating their psychological distress.

Individuals struggling with mental issues need considerable affection and appreciation regardless of their condition. And an ESA can indeed melt the toughest of hearts since it elicits the release of the feel-good hormone oxytocin in the owner.

Does this mean someone with an ESA is avoiding interacting with people? Absolutely not! It only means that the ESA’s understand and connect with the owner differently, hence helping them reconnect with those around them.

Mental Illness in the USA

5. Help to stabilize stressful emotions

An ESA can help a subject calm down intense feelings they could be going through at a given time. For instance, if the owner feels fearful, anxious, irritable, or agitated, the furry pal can always provide a calming effect on the handler, thus helping them “reset” their feelings.

Simply put, pets give comfort and progressively help owners find a sense of relief. Moreover, holding your pet is a proven way to help normalize the heart rate and regulate your blood pressure.

Overall, the benefits of having a support animal go beyond what therapy sessions and conventional medication give—helping you realize excellent physical, social, and emotional functionalities.

Having strong mental health is the key to a happy life – maintain it by getting your ESA letter today!

How To Get an ESA letter

Do you have a mental health issue and believe you can benefit from owning an ESA? We can connect you to our licensed therapist who’ll evaluate your condition and prepare for you an ESA letter.

An ESA document enables you to have your support animal during your travel as well as stay with your pet in an apartment setting. At EsaCare, we are happy to help. Reach out to us on 1-800-273-8255. Or text “HOME” to 741-741.

Apply for your ESA letter now!

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