Interacting with Dogs Might Strengthen Rest and Relaxation Brain Waves

A study involved 30 healthy people with an average age of 28.

If you think playing with dogs or looking at their adorable videos on social media helps you decompress, you might be on to something! A small study published yesterday found that interacting with dogs might strengthen the brain waves associated with rest and relaxation. The research involved 30 healthy people with an average age of 28. They each engaged in multiple activities with a dog, like playing, feeding, grooming, hugging and walking. Study authors measured their brain waves during each activity, then asked participants questions about their emotional state. The changes in brain waves indicated heightened attention, concentration and relaxation. That’s in addition to reduced stress, fatigue and feelings of depression.