Pets as ultimate stress buster: 7 relaxing activities you can do with your pet to unwind

When life gets noisy, few things ground us better than the gentle rhythm of our pets with their soft breath, their quiet company and their unspoken comfort. Spending quality time with your pet is one of the most effective methods to unwind and enhance your special emotional bond.

Experts agree that the benefits are more than emotional. Science shows that time spent with pets measurably lowers stress, regulates heart rate and even boosts immunity through neurochemical changes.Here are 7 ways to make your day with your pet more meaningful -

Step outside together: Pet-friendly outings

In an interview with the Times of India, Kaivanna Shah, CEO and Founder of Zumigo, a pet healthcare startup, suggested, “Visit pet-friendly cafés, parks, beaches or stores.

Introducing your pet to new environments can be exciting and socially enriching.” Exploring new spaces stimulates both you and your pet’s senses and breaks monotony. Studies show that dog guardians who walk regularly have lower blood pressure and higher physical activity levels.

For pets, exposure to new environments enhances adaptability and confidence. Try taking a calm, unhurried stroll with no phones, no agenda and let your pet explore at their pace.

Playtime games: Fun that heals

“Toss a ball, play fetch or tug-of-war. These games exercise your pet and keep them entertained,” Shah revealed. Play is not just recreation, it is therapy. A 2023 research published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that interactive play between dogs and owners boosts bonding and reduces behavioural issues. In humans, laughter and play release endorphins and oxytocin, which is the same hormone linked to bonding in both species. Try rotating toys weekly and mix physical games with gentle mental ones like “find the treat.”

Training sessions: Mindful connection

“Teaching your pet new tricks or commands builds trust and communication. Use treats and positive reinforcement to make it fun,” Shah said. Training strengthens your emotional link through positive association and structure. Studies confirm that reward-based training reduces stress-related behaviours compared to punishment-based methods. Try short 5-minute sessions of teaching simple cues (“paw,” “spin,” or “stay”), ending each with a cuddle to reinforce warmth.

Water play: The joy of flow

“Some pets enjoy water. If your pet does too, go for a swim or play with sprinklers in your yard,” Shah advised. For water-loving dogs, aquatic play offers physical exertion with minimal joint strain that is a boon for older pets. A 2019 research in Veterinary Sciences established that hydrotherapy improved joint mobility and reduced stress behaviours in canines.Try shallow paddling in the garden or a slow dip in a pet-safe pool. Always supervise and ensure your pet’s comfort.

Weekend calm rituals: Presence and energy

Bringing her expertise to the same, Deepti Bansal, an Interspecies Telepathic Communicator, revealed, “The weekend is the perfect time to slow down and help your pet unwind. Spend quiet time with your pet by simply being present. Sit calmly beside them, use gentle pats and take deep breaths together.”

This is mirrored in research too where studies claim that mutual gaze between dogs and humans increases oxytocin, the “bonding hormone”, in both.

Being fully present soothes pets’ nervous systems and your own. Try sitting beside your pet for five minutes daily, breathing slowly together with no commands, no phones.

Create a sensory sanctuary: Aromas

Bansal recommended, “Introduce pet-safe aromas such as lavender, frankincense or chamomile — indirectly, never on their body.” Scent is a scientifically proven relaxant. According to a 2020 study published in Animals, lavender aromatherapy leads to calmer, longer rest periods.

In other words, this research found that exposure to lavender scent significantly improved relaxation and increased resting behaviour in animals, supporting its calming benefits. Try diffusing one drop of lavender oil in water, away from your pet’s direct space.

Practice calm energy and cuddles

“Pets are highly sensitive to their owners’ emotions,” Bansal explained. “Before attempting to soothe your pet, focus on calming yourself through slow petting and deep breathing.

When your energy is steady and peaceful, your pet mirrors that calmness.”

This energetic mirroring is measurable. A 2016 study in Developmental Psychobiology showed that the presence of a pet dog reduced cortisol levels in children exposed to stress, an evidence that emotional states sync across species. Try to practice 10 minutes of quiet touch with soft strokes, steady breath. It will calm your pet’s heartbeat and lower your stress too.

The takeaway

Shah summed it up beautifully, “Sometimes, just snuggling together on the couch watching a movie or listening to soothing music calms your pet and strengthens your bond.” Bansal added, “Through mindful presence, gentle communication, and calm energy, weekends become a time for both you and your pet to restore balance and peace together.”So put away your phone and let your pet lead you into stillness. Science confirms what our hearts already knew that slowing down with your pet does not just feel good. It heals.