President of Ireland’s dog steals limelight during TV interview
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According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), 3.2 million households have welcomed a new pet into their home since the start of the pandemic. Pet ownership is now at an all-time high, with many people crediting their animals as helping them cope with the UK’s multiple lockdowns.
According to research by the University of York, 90 percent of respondents felt that their pet helped them cope emotionally over the last year.
Nuffield Health have now announced a new and free “Pet Mindfulness” class, which will allow owners to spend dedicated time with their pets, as well as develop their focus.
With the last year proving how much people rely on their furry friends, the classes aim to help people transition back to a post-lockdown world and maintain their relationships with their animals.
The classes will be available for free on its digital fitness and wellbeing platform, ‘Nuffield Health 24/7”.
Brendan Street, Emotional Wellbeing Professional Lead at Nuffield Health, said: “Pets can teach us a lot about mindfulness, ourselves and help remind us of some important lessons to lead happier and more authentic lives.
“There are proven benefits of mindfulness and also health benefits to having a close bond with animals.
“This class combines both and is great way to spend rewarding time with your pet, and practice focusing your attention.
“All you need for this is your pet and somewhere comfortable to sit.”
Spending just 10 minutes a day petting an animal has been proven to reduce cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) and, according to research by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 80 percent of those with pets claim the animals make them feel less lonely.
Nuffield Health sees several benefits to having dogs in particular, such as their ability to accept us for who we are, their ability to effortlessly have fun with us and their ease in sharing how they feel with us.
According to Nuffield Health’s Healthier Nation Index, 41 percent of people say their mental health is worse off than this time last year.
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The new ‘Pet Mindfulness’ classes will be part of Nuffield Health’s other wellbeing sessions, including: Introduction to Mindfulness, Calm Space and Deep Breathing.
For more information, visit 247.nuffieldhealth.com.
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