Dog owners spent close to 300 minutes each week walking with their dogs, about 200 more minutes of walking than people without dogs.
In the shared silence of a morning jog or the joyful chaos of a game of fetch, dog owners worldwide rediscover a fundamental truth: exercise, when shared with a canine companion, is much more than physical activity. It becomes a ritual of connection, wellness, and mutual growth.
An Intrinsic Motivation to Move
Dogs embody a zest for movement that is both infectious and inspiring. Their eagerness to explore and play serves as a daily nudge for owners to engage in physical activity. According to a study published in April in Scientific Reports, Dog owners are about four times more likely than other people to meet today’s physical activity guidelines.
This environmental nudge is something akin to what James Clear discusses in his best selling book, Atomic Habits. Clear emphasizes that one of the best ways to build healthy habits is by making small changes to your environment that cue you in a positive direction.
Here at LIG we put this principal to work by purchasing a simple wifi outlet timer, programed to turn the bedroom light on every morning at 6am and positioning our running shoes at the foot of the bed. The preparation makes it that much easier to get out and on the trail.
James On Habit Formation
Mood Follows Actions
Every time we decide to lace up our sneakers and head out for a jog with our dog, we’re not just doing our bodies a favor but also nurturing our minds. The act of moving sets off a beneficial chain reaction within our brains, making us happier, more resilient to stress, and mentally sharper. Kelly McGonigal’s work, particularly in “The Joy of Movement,” reveals several fascinating insights into how physical exercise not only benefits our physical health but also enhances our capacity to enjoy life more fully.
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Mood Enhancement
Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that foster feelings of happiness and well-being. Even a single session of exercise can lead to an immediate boost in mood. This biochemical change in the brain not only alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety but also contributes to a more positive outlook on life. Rather than waiting to feel better in order to move, we should instead be doing the reverse!
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Stress Reduction
Physical activity is known to reduce stress levels significantly. When you exercise, your body releases cortisol as part of its natural response to physical stress. Interestingly, this release of cortisol during exercise can make the body less reactive to cortisol released in response to psychological stressors later on. Essentially, the cortisol produced during intense physical activity can precondition the body to have a muted cortisol response (and thus, stress response) to future psychological or emotional stressors.
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Mental Resilience
By regularly challenging ourselves physically, we learn to navigate through discomfort, enhancing our mental fortitude. Consistent physical activity strengthens neural pathways associated with resilience, improving our capacity to cope with stress and recover from psychological setbacks.
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Enhanced Focus
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, particularly to areas involved in attention and executive function, such as the prefrontal cortex. This leads to improved concentration and cognitive agility, helping us to remain more attentive and engaged in our daily tasks.
Kelly On Movement
Digging Deeper
Curated long-form content related to the key principals in this article
Atomic Habits: How to Get 1% Better Every Day James Clear
Guide to breaking bad behaviors and adopting good ones. How small, incremental, everyday routines compound into massive, positive change over time.
The Joy Of Movement Kelly McGonigal
Find the motivation to get out and exercise more often by teaching you the scientific reasons why it’s good for you and why your body is designed to enjoy it.
We’d love to hear what types of unique exercise and activities you and your dog have discovered. How has your daily walks enhanced your mental wellbeing?
Walks after work are my favorite stress reliever. There is something about the quite time, calm and fresh air that resets the day and brings me back to baseline.