logo
episode-header-image
Sep 11
46m 8s

331. How pets change your life

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

We often see pets as just a part of our daily lives - the ones who greet us at the door, curl up beside us, or demand breakfast at 6 a.m. sharp. But behind those everyday moments lies a bond that’s shaped by millions of years of co-evolution and a deep emotional connection that can transform us. In this episode, we look at the psychology of our relationships with our pets - how they are so transformative, soothe our stress, shift our moods, and even change the way we relate to other people. Pets aren’t just companions; they can become anchors in times of change, mirrors for our emotions, and constant reminders of simple joy.

We’ll explore:
•       The science of why we bond so strongly with animals
•       How our pets mirror our mental health
•       Survival of the cutest
•       The pain of losing a childhood pet, and disenfranchised grief
•       FOUR key questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking of committing to a pet

Whether you’re a proud pet parent or just curious about why humans are so drawn to animals, this episode is for you.

 

ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
341. The 5 types of toxic friendships
Friendships should be a source of joy – people who just make life lighter. But not all friendships feel that way. Some leave us drained, insecure, or questioning our worth. And it can be hard to admit when a friendship has become toxic. Learning to recognise when a friendship is ... Show More
46m 49s
Oct 7
340. The 10 regrets I have about my 20s (so far)
Today I'm reflecting on some of the lessons I've been taking from my early 20s. We all have regrets about things we wish we'd done differently or not done at all, and I'm hoping you can learn from mine. We talk about everything from bad financial decisions, ghosting friends, stay ... Show More
39m 2s
Oct 2
339. The psychology of rock bottom
Hitting rock bottom is one of the most painful human experiences - when the future is blurry, the past feels heavy, and you barely recognize the person staring back in the mirror. Maybe it’s the end of a relationship, losing your job, battling addiction, or simply feeling like ev ... Show More
40m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 25
Are You 'High-Functioning' but Secretly Depressed? (Psychiatrist Explains)
High-functioning depression is a silent struggle for many. Are you walking through life, feeling overwhelmed, but still managing to keep it all together? Dr. Joseph shares insights from her groundbreaking, peer-reviewed study, the first of its kind on high-functioning depression. ... Show More
1h 1m
Apr 2025
What Pets Actually Want & Need | Dr. Karolina Westlund
My guest is Dr. Karolina Westlund, Ph.D., a professor of ethology at the University of Stockholm and an expert in animal emotions and behavior who uses science-based methods to improve the lives of animals in human care. We discuss the often overlooked needs of domesticated anima ... Show More
2h 6m
Apr 2025
Rewiring Your Brain for Better Mental Health: How Small Actions Can Transform Your Health with Dr Camilla Nord #543
Have you ever wondered why the same traumatic experience affects different people in completely different ways? Or why finding pleasure in life is so fundamental to our mental wellbeing? To answer these questions and a whole host more, I'm joined this week by Dr Camilla Nord. Cam ... Show More
2h 20m
Jan 2025
Ep 242: Befriending Yourself – Growing self-respect
If you woke up one day and feel like “I don’t really like myself,” this is for you. Self-respect is not just about having an air of confidence as you interact with others, it’s also being respectful to yourself, internally. As a means to get to this place, I wanted to offer you a ... Show More
57m 38s
Feb 2025
Lessons on Health from the Animal Kingdom & How to Manage Your Emotions
How many times have you wanted to ask for a raise but didn’t bother because you knew the answer would be no? Well, you probably should’ve asked anyway. This episode begins with some surprising statistics about the power of asking for a raise. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gettin ... Show More
52m 48s
Apr 2025
Why British People Love Pets - English Practice Ep 807
Pets aren’t just animals, they’re family. Did you know that India’s pet industry doubled to $3.6 billion in just five years? Or that British households now own 38 million pets, half as many as the human population? Welcome to Adept English, where we help you learn https://adepten ... Show More
13m 37s
Apr 2024
How to Strengthen Your Decision-Making Muscle & Rewire Your Brain to Feel More Confident & Grateful | Liz Moody
Ep 112. Are you over all of the gimmicky, expensive tools in the health space right now? Do you want to go deeper to address foundational topics related to the things that actually impact your quality of life – like healthier communication, better confidence, and rewiring your br ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2025
Ep 246: The Things We Do to Ourselves
This is about how we can come to a sense of comfort in our bodies and psyche, feel more aligned and at home in our life, versus at the mercy of it. It’s really easy to set up systems in our lives that betray our truest wishes for our souls. You might find that the life you have s ... Show More
39m 47s
Sep 19
World-Renowned Animal Communicator on How She Discovered She Could Speak to Animals & How You Can Too
Can You Really Talk to Animals and the Dead? Meet Telepath Ditte Young World-renowned animal communicator, telepath, therapist, and clairvoyant Ditte Young (as featured on the viral Telepathy Tapes podcast) reveals her jaw-dropping journey into the world of animal communication, ... Show More
1h 18m
Feb 2025
372: Breaking the Cycle: Can Your Body Be Addicted to Emotional Stress?
Can your body become addicted to the fight or flight chemicals it experiences when you’ve experienced trauma? In this powerful episode, Dr. Motley tackles this complex question. Learn how to listen to your body, nourish it and balance your emotions at the same time. Step 1: Nouri ... Show More
31m 27s