If You're Stressed Out, So Are Your Pets

Our world today fosters more stress than ever before. If it's gotten to you, it's gotten to your pets. You can help your pets by using the following steps.

1. Don't let your stress become contagious: Stress is contagious, and your beloved pet will mimic your stress. Before you greet your pet, take a few minutes to do deep breathing exercises or take a calming walk if you are experiencing high stress or anger.

2. Pay Attention: Pay attention to your pet's behavior or symptoms to recognize when your pet is feeling stressed. During your pet's next checkup, ask your veterinarian what to look for, and follow your vet's recommendations. Ignoring stress symptoms can lead to expensive ailments down the road. Be proactive.

3. Be Loving: Because our society is moving so fast and so many of us feel overworked, just a few moments loving your pet and providing her more attentiveness can be such a boone. Just as stress is contagious, so is affection. You'll have a less-stressed pet and a less stressed you. So, use some extra time each day to show him how you care for him.

4. Play: Unwind from your stressful day with a few minutes spent just playing with your pet. Combine your need to exercise with caring for your dog by taking your dog for short walks before and after work, or before and after taking your children to school or other activities.

5. Integrate: Don't think of your pet as just one more in a dozen of multi-tasking chores you face each day. Make attending one-on-one with your pet part of your schedule every day. While you are preparing a healthy meal for you and your family or friends, prepare nutritious pet food and replace your pet's water dish with fresh water. Your pet is your friend, not an obligation.

6. Delegate: Arrange for a trusted friend, family member or even pet sitter to care for your pet on days when you work late, have multiple activities or have to be away on a trip. Write down precise instructions that include emergency numbers for your veterinarian or a local pet care clinic with 24-hour availability. Anticipate stress events by preparing a to-do list if your pet becomes ill, becomes stressed or suffers from separation anxiety. Keep this data where you can get to it easily and find it easy to review and stick with.

7. Relax: Nobody's perfect and that includes pet owners. Don't aim to do everything; just strive to do your best. It's important to be forgiving if you haven't paid enough attention to your pet on a certain day due to your own restraints. Forgiving yourself out loud, in fact, is a wonderful stress reducer. Once you become more harmonious, that will shadow forth in your pet, and then you'll feel even better, and he will too...It's a round robin.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

Ruth Klein, America's De-Stress Diva™, is owner of the award-winning firm The Marketing/Time Source. With a master's degree in clinical psychology, Klein, is the author of the best-selling Time Management Secrets for Working Women and five other books on business and lifestyle topics. Sign up to receive Ruth's 7 Part Mini-Course on Branding and Productivity. tinyurl.com/25tqo5

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