This year many of us have ditched the commute and started working from home. Even though you might miss your colleagues and your old routine, there is a perk of being in the house so much: you get to spend much more time with your pets! They’re certainly happy to have you there, but how have pet-owners been dealing with all this extra time?
Extra Time
instantprint, who are specialists in printed marketing including signage and brochures, found that the average commute was 59 minutes a day. This included getting to and from work. An hour might seem like much but it definitely adds up. It equates to 18 hours a month, or 9 days and 2 hours a year. The printing company asked 1,000 Brits how they had been spending this extra time and it was revealed that 20% of people were spending it with their pets.
Offer Comfort
You can’t blame people for wanting to spend more time with their pets during this difficult year. A survey created by Rover showed that over half of pet owners said they felt less stress having their animal with them. It also revealed that over two-thirds of people felt happier working from home because they had the company of their pet. Animals can help people’s mental health in a way that humans can’t. The love of a pet is so simple and joyful, and you can’t blame people for cherishing it more than ever during these times.
De-Stress
Rover’s survey also revealed that 86% of pet owners said their pet helped them feel less stressed. Having pets allowed people to distract themselves from the news or current events. It will come as no surprise then, that animal shelters in 2020 saw an increase in pets finding their forever homes. A pet can help someone with their routine, and encourage more physical activity from them. Whether it’s simply playing inside, or deciding to go on a walk and enjoy the fresh air.
Distractions
Of course, as much as we love our pets, let’s face it: they can be impossibly distracting, can’t they? If you’ve been playing with your pet more than answering emails, don’t worry. You are not alone. According to another instantprint survey, pets were one of the biggest distractions. Remember you can’t look after your pet properly if you’re not taking care of yourself, so try to give yourself balance in the day between productivity and play.
It has been a hard year, but we’re lucky to have our loving companions to help get us through it. How have you found working from home with your furry friend? Do you think they’ve been more of help or a hindrance for your productivity?
Photo credits: PxHere
