Millions of people worldwide are dealing with mental health issues. The most common are anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as depression.

The coronavirus pandemic has made it more challenging to deal with the symptoms and may amplify some of these conditions as well. People are grappling with anxiety over their health, the isolation and the financial impact of the situation.

Having a dog or other pet can help mental health in some ways. That is why service dogs are used in the treatment of PTSD. Even if the dog at home is not a trained service dog, they can still help boost mental health and improve the quality of life.

1. Mindfulness

Having a dog helps keep people present and mindful in the moment. Learning mindfulness can be valuable in improving mental health.

For example, just spending time petting their dog means someone is focusing on the moment. Similarly, walking the dog can help a person focus on what is happening around them — the sunshine, nature or the scenery.

A dog can help someone get out of their head and be in the present.

2. Stress relief

Studies have shown that having a dog can reduce stress. That is why many top employers allow their staff to bring their dogs to the office.

Dogs are often used as part of therapy to relieve stress and, along with that drop in the stress level, having a dog can promote happiness and reduce negative emotions.

Interacting with a pet reduces the hormones linked to stress, such as cortisol, and it can increase dopamine and serotonin, which are the feel-good brain chemicals.

Sometimes these are called happiness hormones. Being around animals is so effective that animal-assisted therapy is often used as part of mental health treatment.

3. Exercise and the outdoors

Having a dog often means getting more exercise because the dog needs it. Exercise is a good way to improve every area of the physical and mental health.

Walking the dog is known to lower blood pressure and boost the feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain.

Waking the dog gets people outdoors, which in itself can help relieve stress and boost the mood.

Some people say it helps them feel more creative. It does not matter what type of environment a person lives in, they can still experience the benefits of being outside.

4. Socialisation

Having a dog is a good way to meet other pet owners and people in general. Going to the dog park or just walking around the neighbourhood are opportunities to meet other people and feel less alone.

That can be especially important now as so many people are feeling isolated because of Covid-19 restrictions.

5. Purpose

Having a sense of purpose can improve mental health, but as people age, they sometimes feel that purpose is slipping away.

Someone who is retired, whose children are adults with their own lives, may begin to feel they no longer have a purpose.

It is natural to feel that way and pets can be tremendously beneficial in this area. The animal is dependent on that person for its welfare and the person has a responsibility to care for it. Taking care of a dog can help improve self-esteem, providing a sense of accomplishment.

6. Benefits for children

Children also experience mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Just like adults, being around animals can help children manage their symptoms.

The Centres for Disease Control in the US studied 643 children. Slightly over half had a pet in the home and the children with pets reported lower levels of stress and anxiety.

Of course, having a pet is a great responsibility and not everyone can handle it. But there are many real benefits for mental and well-being. It is a good way to improve one’s quality of life, so it is worth considering.

Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg and host of The DRH Show. You can connect with him on Twitter @drelojo_howell.