Working from home certainly comes with its challenges, from setting up a workstation, missing out on daily catchups with colleagues over coffee, and familiarising yourself with the sometimes-endless video calls. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been on one of these video calls and spotted a pet peeking into the frame, cats climbing all over keyboards, or heard a dog barking in the background. If you are a pet owner, how many times have you been in a serious conversation with the team and your pet comes up with a toy and demands your attention?
Those who have been working from home for a while now have possibly started to see our pets more as co-workers, giving us a little relief from the solitude, and offering an ear to share the latest office gossip with. Images of pets “at work” have started to show up on social media, as well as in our regular Zoom meetings.
While some pets can be cause for distraction, they are also great companions (co-workers) that can help us get through this difficult and uncertain time. According to IBISWorld, over 60% of Australian households have at least one pet. During the various lockdowns across Australia, animal shelters have reported a sudden spike in the number of pet adoptions or fosters, 5 times higher than the average in fact.
When you work from home, your entire relationship with your pet can change for the better. According to Rover, 54% of pet parents feel less anxious because they have the company of their pet. 70% said having a pet while working from home encourages them to be more active by walking or playing. In 2017, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found pets not only help in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression but can also lead to better performance in mental tasks like arithmetic or speech exercises.
Here are some of the benefits of working from home with pets:
- Improved Mental Health
People who work from home often feel isolated, stressed, and anxious due to increasing workloads and lack of companionship. When it comes to reducing workplace stress, having a pet has proven to be beneficial. 83 percent of employees agree that petting and playing with their furry friends helps them reduce stress while promoting mental well-being. Animal antics never fail to put a smile on your face and are perfect way to take a break from the stress of your day.
- Better Focus
Working in isolation and away from your co-workers can make focusing on daily tasks difficult. However, visits from your favourite pets serve as excellent reminders to get up and take a break. Taking short breaks during work can help you feel more energised, making it easier to focus on your work.
- Increased Activity
When you work remotely, it’s easy to get into a habit of not leaving the house for days. A pet motivates you to get outside and get some fresh air every day and be active for at least half an hour. According to a study published in BMC Public Health, pet owners walk 22 minutes more each day as compared to people who don’t have pets. It is also very beneficial as it allows you to stretch your legs, rest your mind, and engage in some stress-relieving activity with your pet.
- Companionship
While pets can’t replace human interaction, they can certainly offer you companionship, which is something many of us are missing these days. In recent years, loneliness has been a growing problem among adults, which has been accelerated due to remote working. Pets are perfect for making you feel more connected, showing you some love and affection, all of which contribute to a sense of companionship and a reduction in feelings of loneliness.
- Stronger Bond
It’s impossible to deny that your pets miss you as much as you miss them when you go out to work. But working remotely allows you to spend more quality time with them, which can improve your overall bond with them. Giving your pet the attention they crave boosts their brain stimulation, builds trust, and improves their overall mood and temperament.
In short, pets can help remote workers be more productive and improve their mental health, which is especially crucial given the global pandemic and the lockdowns. Working from home with your pets can brighten your days by boosting your mood and increasing your exercise level, improving your overall wellbeing and your ability to focus on work.
