College life, often portrayed as exciting and liberating, is also synonymous with stress due to the amalgamation of academic pressures, work and personal responsibilities. Recognizing the myriad of pressures students face, universities have pioneered innovative stress relief programs. One such program called Pet Your Stress Away encourages students to pet dogs and cats.
The essence of these programs allows students to interact with furry friends, aiming to relieve stress and improve overall mood. Scientists at Washington State University (WSU) have demonstrated the effectiveness of these programs, revealing their ability to provide significant stress-relieving physiological benefits beyond just elevating moods.
Reap profits in just ten minutes
Patricia Pendry, Associate Professor in WSU’s Department of Human Development, underscores the impact of animal interaction, stating, Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact.
The study, conducted by Pendry along with WSU graduate student Jaymie Vandagriff and published in AERA Open, demonstrated that students experiencing interaction with cats and dogs showed a marked reduction in cortisol, an important stress hormone.
These findings are pivotal because they represent the first case where reductions in cortisol levels in students have been observed during a real-life intervention outside the laboratory.
How the study was conducted
The meticulously designed study included 249 college students who were randomly separated into four separate groups. The students in the first group were given the opportunity to interact directly with cats and dogs, allowing them to pet and play with the animals for ten minutes.
To assess the variable effects of different animal exposures, the second group observed others interacting with the animals while waiting their turn. The third group watched a slide show presenting the animals, and the fourth was a waiting list, anticipating interaction but initially without any engagement or stimuli.
Significant cortisol reduction by cuddling dogs
The methodological approach included collecting several salivary cortisol samples from each participant from the time they woke up. The subsequent data analysis revealed that students who engaged directly with the animals exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels in their saliva post-interaction. These compelling results remained consistent, even accounting for the variable initial cortisol levels among students.
Benefits beyond surface level
Universities’ enrollment in Pet Your Stress Away programs is rooted in the acknowledgment of the multifaceted pressures inundating students. These apps don’t just act as a fleeting mood enhancer. They penetrate deeper, offering tangible physiological benefits by significantly reducing stress levels.
The study validates the power of these programs, highlighting their ability to create a holistic, positive impact within just a ten-minute interaction window.
In summary, the innovative stress reduction programs instituted by many universities demonstrate a proactive approach to address the escalating stress levels among students, combining academic vigor with emotional well-being. The decisive evidence provided by the study conducted at Washington State University emphasizes the essential role that such programs can play in fostering a balanced and favorable learning or work environment.
By allowing a short rest through animal interaction, universities not only improve student mood, but also contribute to their general well-being by inducing physiological changes that combat stress.
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