A study commissioned by Washington State University has found that comfort from an animal<br />can have a “significant impact” on stress levels.<br />In as little as 10 minutes, interacting with animals was found to cause a significant reduction of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.<br />The study, which involved almost 250 college students, examined four different groups.<br />One group was allowed to interact with the cats and dogs for 10 minutes, while the other three groups either observed or remained isolated.<br />Researchers then took saliva samples from the participants and found that those who directly interacted with the animals had less cortisol.<br />Patricia Pendry, an associate professor at WSU, believes the study shows “exciting” results.<br />"What we wanted to learn was whether this exposure would help students reduce their stress in a less subjective way … the reduction of stress hormones may, over time, have significant benefits for physical and mental health." Patricia Pendry, via TheLadders.com
