Whenever I do homework on the couch, he lies on top of me, right next to my laptop. He’s been an incredible study buddy through all the crazy semesters and stressful exams.
In between studying and writing essays for classes, I make sure to take breaks. Sometimes I like to free up my mind and de-stress by spending time with Charlie. I love taking him for a walk around my neighborhood or taking him to the park; we sit on the grass and just breathe in the fresh air together. Charlie gets anxiety in the car, but once we reach our destination, he loves to explore. During one fun trip to the beach, we walked along the boardwalk. When I am done studying, Charlie and I love to cuddle and watch Netflix together.
Spending time with my dog helps me get through stressful times, including finals. Animals truly bring healing to the soul and body.
Comfort and love from animals reduces anxiety and depression. Spending time with an animal makes you feel loved and cared for, especially during times when you feel lonely. Being able to go out and do fun activities with a dog brings so much sunshine to one’s day. It takes your mind off the stressors around you and helps you focus all of your energy on the sweet little soul as you nurture it wholeheartedly.
As students, we tend to get so narrow-minded and hyper-focused on all our to-do lists and tasks and we forget to take time out of our busy schedules to enjoy life and bring joy to our souls. It’s so important for students to take care of themselves during the chaos, otherwise, their performance and success will be hindered. Spending time with a pet is a great way to do this!