Snuggle up with Fluffy to get more satisfying shut-eye

Do Fido and Felix paw at the bedroom door when they're shut out at night? If you let them back in, you might all be better off.

Sleeping with your pet can reduce stress and put you in a relaxed frame of mind for more restful sleep. "It's a comfort to have a pet there with you," says Roger Valentine, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian in Santa Monica, Calif.

Pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, fewer minor health problems, and better psychological well-being. Want relief from mental distress, anxiety, and imbalance? "Pets are like emotional sponges that soak up our issues," says Valentine.

- December/January 2006

Natural Health