Want better mental health? Get a pet
Chennai: Having a pet helps boost mental health, cuts down screen time, improves sleep and reduces anxiety. Indian pet parents have recorded some of the highest rankings in all these categories in a just released global survey.
According to a survey by MNC petcare company Mars and mental health firm Calm, Indian pet parents ranked among the highest globally when it came to screen-time reduction (92% compared to around 74% globally), taking regular breaks from work (93% as compared to 77% globally) and feeling more relaxed by talking to their pet (82% as compared to 77% globally). Indian pet parents also ranked highest in improved sleep quality (79% compared to 55% in the US and 43% in the UK) and 88% of Indian pet owners said that their pets help reduce overthinking — significantly higher than most Western markets.
Also 76% Indian pet parents reported they feel more present and mindful because of their pets.
Said Salil Murthy, MD, Mars Petcare India, 'According to this survey, 82% of pet parents globally said that talking to their pet helps them feel more relaxed while 81% pet parents globally feel calmer when their pet settles beside them. Also 76% of those surveyed said their pet encourages them to stop overthinking while 75% are more likely to go outdoors, and 74% spend less time on social media due to their pet's influence.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
These are not just statistics — they reflect a transformative, under-recognized role pets play in our lives.' In fact, 79% of Indian pet owners said that their pet positively impacts their mental wellbeing. In fact, 88% Indians said pets help reduce anxiety or overthinking, offering presence without pressure and 69% said their pet has improved their social life.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Think olive oil is healthy? Shockingly study says it contributes to obesity
Image credits: Getty Images It's time for an oil change, really. A recent study has stunned people with the news that olive oil actually contributes to obesity. For years, olive oil has been consumed as a healthy alternative to other cooking oils. According to the North American Olive Oil Association, more than 50% of American households use olive oil due to its flavour and health benefits. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, olive oil has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, renoprotective and anti-neurodegenerative agents. However, a recent study published in the journal Cell Reports revealed that eating a high-fat diet containing a huge amount of oleic acid- a type of fatty acid found in olive oil, can cause more obesity than other types of dietary fats. Oleic acid, a monosaturated fat associated with obesity, leads the body to make more fat cells. High levels of the acid boost a signalling protein, AKT2 and reduce the activity of a regulating protein LXR, to result in the faster growth of the precursor cells that form new fat cells. "We know that the types of fat that people eat have changed during the obesity epidemic. We wanted to know whether simply overeating a diet rich in fat causes obesity, or whether the composition of these fatty acids that make up the oils in the diet is important. Do specific fat molecules trigger responses in the cells?" said Michael Rudolph, Ph.D, assistant professor of biochemistry and physiology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and member of OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center to Medical Xpress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The shocking research Image credits: Getty Images Rudolph and his team which included other collaborators at Yale University School of Medicine and New York University School of Medicine, carried out the research by feeding mice a variety of specialized diets rich in particular individual fatty acids, including those found in coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard and soybean oil. Oleic acid was the only one that led to precursor cells that gave rise to fat cells to proliferate more than other fatty acids. "You can think of the fat cells as an army," explained Rudolph. "When you give oleic acid, it initially increases the number of 'fat cell soldiers' in the army, which creates a larger capacity to store excess dietary nutrients. Over time, if the excess nutrients overtake the number of fat cells, obesity can occur, which can then lead to cardiovascular disease or diabetes if not controlled." He suggested consuming fats in moderation and from a variety of sources. "Relatively balanced levels of oleic acid seem to be beneficial, but higher and prolonged levels may be detrimental. If someone is at risk for heart disease, high levels of oleic acid may not be a good idea." One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India's probiotics market doubles in 5 years, hits Rs 2,070 cr in 2025
ET Bureau Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As Indians seek ways to improve gut health, boost immunity, and enhance digestive function, probiotics are becoming a significant ingredient in their diet. Data suggest that probiotics market clocked strong double-digit growth of 22% on a Moving Annual Total (MAT) for May, as per market research firm PharmaTrac."The probiotics market has almost doubled in the last five years," said Sheetal Sapale, vice president, commercial, PharmaTrac. The probiotics market has grown from ₹1,016 crore MAT value in 2021 to ₹2,070 crore in 2025, show pharmaceutical companies including Sun Pharma , USV, Zydus , Torrent, Mankind and Dr Reddy's are leading the market, which is mostly driven by the older brands as new launches in the last two years have garnered a revenue of approximately ₹49 crore only, data showed."The probiotics market has become a very important market as far as restoration of gut health is concerned. Ailments affecting the normal gut microbe density, especially diarrhoea, dysentery and other intestinal/stomach infections, need consumption of probiotics along with anti-infectives. In some cases, consumption of some medications also involves nausea and vomiting as side effects, wherein probiotics play an important role. The overall market has shown a 5-year value CAGR of 19% and a very strong growth of 22% in MAT May 2025," Sapale probiotic drugs account for over 90% of the market in India, it is followed by milk and milk products. Companies such as Amul and Mother Dairy are aggressively pushing probiotics, while start-ups such as The Good Bug and WellBeing Nutrition have been also attracting significant investor Mehta, MD of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation which makes and sells a range of Amul dairy products, said they sell 3 million litres of probiotic buttermilk every day across India. Amul is the largest probiotic brand in the country, claimed the company."The category is growing in high double digits and has high momentum but remains very under-penetrated. India being a very large and growing market for processed foods also translates to a large addressable market for gut-related issues," said Kannan Sitaram, cofounder and partner of Fireside Ventures, an early-stage investment fund which has invested in The Good Bug and Wellbeing Nutrition."Our probiotic portfolio currently contributes around 45% to our overall fresh dairy products portfolio. The category is seeing strong growth...," said Manish Bandlish, MD, Mother month, The Good Bug raised '100 crore in a fresh funding round led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, with existing investor Fireside Ventures also participating in the May, probiotics delivered a standout performance with exponential double-digit growth, signalling rising consumer preference for gut-health Rakesh Patel, consultant gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, said consumption is growing rapidly in India, especially among younger people, thanks to increasing health awareness and the influence of social media and healthcare a word of caution on its rampant usage, Dr Kaushal Madan, principal director & head-gastroenterology, hepatology & endoscopy, liver transplant and biliary sciences, at Max Hospital in Saket, New Delhi, said there are several conditions and indications where probiotics have been shown to be very effective in controlling certain conditions, but "in many other illnesses, their rampant use is possibly unwarranted."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Avoid rath yatra if you have Covid symptoms'
Gandhinagar: While urging people to take precautions against Covid-19, state health minister Rushikesh Patel on Wednesday advised those with Covid-like symptoms and those with co-morbidities to refrain from participating in Lord Jagannath's rath yatra on June 27. "People who have symptoms like those of Covid-19 must refrain from participating in the rath yatra. Also, people with co-morbidities, the elderly, and those who have flu-like symptoms must remain in their houses and watch the rath yatra," Patel said while talking to reporters in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. He added that this will ensure that people who have symptoms will not transmit it to others, and co-morbid people will also not be exposed to infections. Meanwhile, after participating in the jal yatra in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi said that the rath yatra is a centre of devotion for lakhs of people. "Preparations are being made for the rath yatra to be held on June 27. It is the biggest procession from the perspectives of both devotion and administration," the minister said. With more than 1,200 active Covid-19 cases in Gujarat at present, Patel said that although the variant responsible for the surge is less severe than previous ones, people need to take precautions and isolate themselves if symptoms emerge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We are in touch with the Union health ministry. The variant responsible for these new cases belongs to the Omicron family, which is less severe," he said. Although the variant is not very harmful, people need to take precautionary measures. Patel said that health infrastructure like beds, medicines and medical oxygen supply is in place.
