Relax and Re-Energize with a little purring and petting

Two weeks ago I brought home a big (15 lb!) bundle of taffy colored fur called "Kitty." I've never had a cat before and Kitty is a fascinating and delightful addition to our family. (Velvet the dog, Peetie the worried cockatiel, Micheal and Moi.)

Last weekend a snippet of an article caught my attention and tonight I snuggled in to do some research on the topic of pets and how they make us healthy. A few highlights include:

* Petting cats or dogs increases feel good hormones, lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate. In other words, petting is healthy for your heart!

* Want an easy, healthy stress buster? A study shows that watching fish swim can drop your blood pressure about 15 points ...

* Want an easy does it way to relax and re-energize? “Walking is the biggest bang for our buck. Thirty minutes a day of walking will prevent many cases of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases." -Surgeon General

Psst. Dog owners walk 79 percent farther in an average week than non–dog owners.

For the rest of this puuurfect story, click here ....

Just one way to boost your energy - Puppy Love

Last Wednesday I bought a pedometer to start logging my steps for the SPCA. (I am a volunteer dog walker - you could be too. Click here for typical volunteer opportunities at your local shelter OR to help out at ours.)

Anywho, on Wednesday, January 2ND I walked 9533 steps. Someday I'll figure out how that translates into miles. Right now I like the sound of steps! BTW = The manual that came with the pedometer recommends that we walk a total of 10,000 steps a day.

Volunteering - doing something you Love for something or someone you Love is sooooooo
energizing. It is proven to release all kinds of feel good hormones. I have gone in for this weekly 2 hour walking spree feeling like c-r-a-p - feeling tired - feeling stressed, even with migraine headaches and come out of it refreshed, re-Energized and loving life. Must be a combination of heart, movement, oxygen and water intake ...

This is just ONE way to give yourself an emotional and physical boost. Do you have something else to suggest? Add it on here for the rest of us!