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Walking the dog beats loneliness and depression, research reveals
Last updated at 23:52pm on 08.11.06
Going for walkies is as good for us as it is for our dogs
The benefits to our canine companions have long been known, but now it seems walkies could be just as good for their owners.
New research has revealed that the daily chore of walking the dog can ward off depression and loneliness.
A study by the University of Portsmouth found that the UK's 6.2 million dogs helped motivate their 15 million owners by encouraging them to exercise through a daily walk, even when they didn't feel like it.
The dog walkers surveyed reported that the exercise gave them a better overall sense of well-being as they often met like-minded people, leaving them feeling happier.
Participants in the psychological study also found that even if they were feeling low, they always felt better once they were outside.
Whilst older dog walkers found that the exercise helped them stay physically fitter and maintain social contacts, it also encouraged children to venture outdoors and spend less time in front of the television, according to the report.
The findings by the university's Department of Environmental Design and Management come as conservation experts launch a new campaign to urge more people to "reconnect" with the environment.
A study by Natural England found that taking a stroll outside can boost fitness levels and prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Being close to nature can also cut stress levels, accelerate recovery from operations and help children with attention disorders, researchers found.
Author of the study, Natural England health adviser, Dr William Bird said: "Increasing evidence suggests that both physical and mental health are improved through contact with nature."
"Yet people are having less contact with nature than at any other time in the past. This has to change."
According to the research, children with attention disorders are shown to improve when they have contact with nature and those recovering from operations need less painkillers if they are looking out onto green fields.
Dr Bird also found that people were more likely to keep up regular exercise regimes like walking, if they took place in natural settings instead of on the gym treadmill.
Now the conservation agency has launched an initiative to create "breathing spaces" and mobilise more than a million people to enjoy their local green areas.
Natural England chief executive Helen Phillips said: "Prevention is better than cure but up to 97 per cent of NHS spend goes on treating people after they have become ill.
"We are working with the NHS to plan ways in which the environment is used as a natural' health service that gets, and keeps, more people healthy."
Reader views (3)
If walking dogs is so good for us, why are more and more councils across the country placing restrictions on dogs - especially making us keep the dogs on leads in all public places? A lot of the enjoyment of walking dogs is to see them running free - getting the exercise THEY need! I wish more could be done to highlight the health benefits of owning a dog.
- C.Lemon, Totton, Hampshire
Walking the Dog, yes! I could also do The Spinner, Rock The Baby, Loop The Loop and Forward Pass. But my yo-yo died. Now I'm really depressed.
- Haskey, London
You don't need research to tell you that; it's the bleeding obvious. Pets are good for you. My dog was my good companion for 14 years until it tragically passed away.
- Dhanraj, Basildon, Essex
