Everyone feels down occasionally, but sometimes those feelings of sadness or hopelessness can linger and begin to affect daily life. You might assume that it’ll pass—after all, you haven’t been officially diagnosed with depression—but even without that diagnosis, you might feel stuck in a rut and wonder how to pull yourself out of it.
This state is often called “languishing” and can leave you feeling flat, unfulfilled, and generally “meh.”
An emotional support animal (ESA) could help. ESAs are not service animals; a service animal is trained to help individuals with disabilities, while an emotional support animal is simply an assistance animal that provides companionship and support. Service animals undergo rigorous training, whereas ESAs do not, but ESAs are especially beneficial for improving mental health.
Could an ESA be the missing piece of the puzzle that could help improve your mental health conditions or overcome your struggles with your emotional well-being? Learn more about the biggest benefits of ESAs and how they can help improve your mental health.
Emotional support animals provide constant companionship and are a reliable source of support—especially when you’re feeling lonely or sad. Research shows that being around animals can reduce loneliness and lead to mood improvements that boost your emotional well-being.
Their companionship can help prevent physical illness and mental health disorders, and an animal requires daily care that can make you feel needed and wanted. An emotional support animal can help lift you out of your rut simply by welcoming you home after a challenging day.
Living with stress and anxiety can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. If you ignore stress, it can lead to long-term issues, like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Studies have found that petting an animal can lead to stress reduction by lowering cortisol levels and increasing oxytocin production.
An emotional support animal is there when you feel stressed or anxious, offering immediate comfort to help bring you back to the present. ESAs can also comfort you when you’re feeling down. There’s nothing quite like snuggling with your dog or cat when you’re feeling sad.
Structure and routine are essential for anyone prone to anxiety or depression. When you’re feeling down or not quite yourself, a solid structure can help you break out of your rut and return to feeling healthy. These assistance animals can help build daily structure and routine.
ESAs require daily care, which translates to structure and routine, and routines can give you a sense of purpose. If you’re having trouble getting up in the mornings, an ESA can provide the boost you need to get out of bed. If you don’t feel like leaving the house, a dog can encourage you to get out and walk anyway, which can clear your head.
Emotional support animals, no matter the species or breed, can help you overcome lethargy and hopelessness by giving you something to care for besides yourself.
Physical activity has been linked with improved mental health. Studies have found that exercise of any intensity, from gentle yoga and walking to high-intensity aerobic training, can be an effective part of a treatment plan for mild depression. Emotional support animals—dogs in particular—can help encourage physical activity, which can help lift you out of your low mood.
Dogs can also encourage social interactions, decreasing feelings of loneliness and isolation. A study funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that service dogs helped reduce levels of social isolation in veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased their ability to participate in social activities.
Increased social interactions can improve overall mental health for anyone, whether a veteran with PTSD or a civilian with a case of the blahs.
Animals don’t judge, making them the perfect companion when you’re feeling your most delicate. By being there and listening, an animal companion can help individuals feel valued and understood during challenging times.
Research has shown that reading aloud to dogs can help children improve their reading performance—even more than reading aloud to parents or classmates. That’s because dogs don’t judge a child struggling to read a tricky word, whereas a child might feel judged if they’re struggling in front of their peers. Reading aloud is a proven way to improve literacy, and animals can provide a support system that encourages self-esteem and motivation.
This non-judgmental support can be just as effective when you’re feeling down or mildly depressed. An emotional support animal is ready to lend an ear when you want to decompress and is happy to just lie with you when you need a companion.
It’s easy to dwell on the past or worry about your future when you're feeling down—but doing so can make you feel even worse. Mindfulness can help you stay present in the moment and focus on your senses rather than worrying about things outside your control. This, in turn, can decrease stress and anxiety.
An emotional support animal can offer anxiety relief and help you stay mindful by easing your emotional heaviness and bringing you back to the present. Taking your dog for a walk can help you practice some of the relaxation techniques used in mindfulness, like deep breathing and reflecting.
You can also observe how your dog is present in the moment while walking, taking in the sights and smells, and just being present. If you do the same, you’ll find that your cluttered mind seems clearer, and you feel better overall.
Although an ESA can improve your mental health, simply owning one may not be enough to break you out of your rut. But an ESA can be part of a larger mental health strategy that includes therapy, medication, and other treatments for emotional and mental wellness.
The benefits of ESAs for anxiety are numerous. ESAs can complement traditional anxiety treatments by offering companionship and support when needed. They can also give you a sense of purpose when you might not otherwise have one. Together with mental health solutions prescribed by a professional, an ESA can help you live a stable and worthwhile life as an alternative anxiety treatment.
Emotional support animals offer numerous benefits that can help combat low moods, feelings of sadness, and emotional stagnation. They provide companionship, encourage exercise and social interaction, and require care that creates predictable routines.
If an ESA might provide the emotional support you need to feel better, speak with a licensed mental health professional or an ESA specialist to get started. Then, check out the best ESA letter services to make it official. An ESA letter from a licensed therapist makes it easier to find housing without restrictions when you have an ESA.
