Do you feel out of sorts? Like a piece of driftwood on a stormy sea? Many of us feel agitated by the current pandemic, political climate, and various challenges in our personal lives. If you live with an animal companion, you have a wellness buddy who can help you navigate these waters by teaching you two simple words: thank you.

Some benefits that come with feeling grateful include improved health, better sleep, and a greater opportunity to make new friends. If you’re having trouble finding things to feel thankful for, it’s time to listen to the masters of living a grateful life—your animal companions.

5 Things Animals Can Teach Us About Living Gratefully

1. The present in being present: How much of your day do you spend worrying about the past or feeling anxious about the future? Animals live in the only moment that counts: now. Feeling a dog’s wet snout on your skin when you’re low or waking up to your cat’s paw mischievously swatting your face—these are small but wonderful moments to remind you that life is good when there’s an animal by your side.
2. Rescued by rescues: We may adopt a rescued animal in need, but the secret is that they rescue us right back. Amusing us with funny antics and decreasing our stress with their snuggles, our animal friends return the favor of their second chance at life in countless life-affirming ways.
3. Fostering immunity: Did you know that your dog doctor or cat nurse can help your immune system? Laughing, walking, and engaging with your BFF in positive ways helps boost the immune system, an invaluable benefit during these days of COVID-19.
4. Playtime isn’t just for kids: If your dog insists that you put down your cell phone and throw a ball instead, don’t think twice—just do it. They deserve the attention, and playing increases our levels of serotonin and oxytocin, hormones that improve mood, reduce stress, and help us feel more alive.
5. Keep a journal: Did you know that keeping a gratitude journal helps you maintain a positive mindset? If you have an animal companion, you can increase your own pawsitivity by looking to them for inspiration and jotting down what you most appreciate about them. Over time, you may find yourself smiling more, feeling happier, and not worrying as much.

Happiness doesn’t necessarily arrive in one fell swoop, but every good morning starts with a little gratitude, which then builds from one day to the next. If you have an animal companion by your side and start noticing how grateful and happy they are, despite challenging times, positive and powerful change may occur in your own life sooner than you expect.

If you’re wondering how animals can help us in such powerful, profound, and unexpected ways, remember that we are animals, too, and our beloved companions are just doing what they do best—teaching us how to be kinder, happier, and more compassionate humans.

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Carlyn Montes De Oca is the award-winning bestselling author of Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse. Her work has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and dozens of other media outlets. Her two new books, the Paws for the Good Stuff journals, show us how to harness the power of gratitude through healthy relationships with our animal friends. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband, Ken Fischer, and rescued dog, Grace. Visit Carlyn at AnimalHumanHealth.com.