I’ve been spending a lot of time with my Brittany Spaniel pup while I’m working from home during the pandemic. When people ask how it’s going, I almost always mention him. He keeps me entertained, follows me around and I’ve started imitating his habits to bring me more balance. Check out these dog habits we can all learn from.

1. They stretch

The first thing my dog does in the morning is stretch in down dog and then take a few elongated strides. He also stretches throughout the day.

2. They shake it off

My dog wiggles his whole body when he gets up the morning, getting the energy flowing. Shaking it off has both physical and mental benefits.

3. They take deep breaths

His ability to sigh at the times when I’m feeling stressed is pretty amazing. I’ve started imitating him and it helps get me more oxygen throughout the day. Sometimes he takes shorter sighs, which cracks me up. 

4. They’re loyal

They love unconditionally.

5. They value rest and sleep

When my dog isn’t playing, he’s usually sleeping. Dogs are a great example of resting to rejuvenate. No, he doesn’t have a job or other responsibilities, but we could all use some more rest. Helping people find balance between rest and productivity is a key part of reaching full bloom. 

6. They seek out fun

Any time is ball time. Have you seen how excited they get when they get to play or go for a walk?

7. They smile

The science is in that smiling, even when you don’t feel like it, can help you feel better. My dog smiles after he plays and I inevitably smile too.

There are many wellness benefits of having a pet. If we start noticing our dog’s habits and imitating them, we can start to feel more balanced and energized. What are some habits that your dog or pet has that make you smile? Have you tried imitating them yet?