Self-Care For Humans & Their Pets

Our animal companions experience stress and anxiety when we deal with the pandemic, weather, economic breakdowns and ill health. When we complain, rant, or refuse to accept reality, our animal companions grow agitated. And if we don’t notice and find an outlet for the animals to express their emotions, they can become aggressive or depressed. Even the doom radiating from the television news has an effect on domestic animals because they pick up on the urgency in the newscasters’ voices.

While this sounds like a no-brainer, it isn’t to the average person. Animals also pick up on the electrical magnetic fields, especially from mobile phones, tablets, androids, and computers too. And please don’t place the dog or cat beds near the modem or router, television set, or any other electrical device or appliance. Animals are sensitive and I wouldn’t be surprised if there exist a connection between the increase in cancer in pets and the electrical magnetic fields including from digital meters, digital convenience devices such as the dog and baby cameras, cell towers, and especially the 5G technology. Give it some thought.

If we combine electrical magnetic stress with human anxiety and fear and then we place the animals with a family or couple in lockdown, imagine the damage this causes to animals and humans! I’ve seen the health effects on a dog I fostered when the family members argued or abused each other. The dog gained over fifty pounds and suffered from severe anxiety and OCD behaviors. Over time, he started becoming aggressive to people visiting the house, especially the house call vets and the postal carrier.

When I went for walks during the lockdown and even now, I noticed agitated dogs barking at me from behind picture windows or snarling at me from behind a fence. What I pick up from them is that they are not getting exercise. And this is a real problem because exercise is the best outlet for the animals to release pent up energy which if unchecked leads to aggression.

Despite the problems humans face it’s the worse time to neglect pets. First, the animals bring us comfort and are there for us. And by finding ways to relieve their stress we release our own. We need to remember to do self-care for ourselves to calm our own anxiety and ease our stress. This creates a harmonious environment for everyone. And take this one step further by helping your pets practice self-care too. They already are begging for it. This doesn’t mean you give them extra cookies because that leads to weight gain and health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It can even increase anxiety for the animals.

So, here are some self-care hacks for you and your animal companions.

Go for a walk or a hike with your dogs.
If you are forced to stay at home then play with your dogs (and cats) in the yard.
Play canine or feline calming music in the background. This is soothing for humans too.
Give your pets a massage and then go take a warm bath or soak your feet in salt water followed by a massage.
Go off the grid for a few hours or a day (that’s right, turn the power off in the house).
Practice yoga and meditation while your pets nap near by.
If you practice Reiki combine a session for you and your pet.
Use aromatherapy in the room but make sure you only use essential oils that are safe for animals to breathe (research).

Use your imagination and tune into your animal companions. Calm your stress first and then help your animals to calm their stress. Make sure that you and your pets stay nourished, hydrated, and well-rested. Don’t forget to get exercise and look for a healthy outlet to blow off steam.

There’s a season for all things including crisis and peace. Learn self-care practices when times are peaceful so that you know what to do during tower moments or when life circumstances stir the pot.

I’m an animal communicator and Reiki Master. Visit my Buzz & Bark Animal Reiki page for more information and to sign up for a session.