Five Lessons on How to Be a Better Human at Work (From My Dog)
Last month, my husband and I said goodbye to our dog of fifteen years, Max. And sitting in my office for the first time without him has been rough to say the least. Ask anyone who has loved a pet and they will tell you that our pets are more than just furballs that live rent-free in our homes. If you are paying attention, they become the best examples of how we can show up for ourselves - especially at work - every day.
Lesson #1: Get Outdoors
This is an easy one. Dogs need walks. Walks are good exercise, they allow you to connect with your neighbors and neighborhood and - perhaps most importantly - they offer a break from the screen (or in Max’s case, the naps). Not to mention, your body needs Vitamin D which is important for bone health, calcium absorption, reducing inflammation and much more. And luckily you don’t need to spend too much time outdoors to get it: just 10-30 minutes of direct sunlight can ensure you are absorbing the benefits of a sunny afternoon.
Lesson #2: Don’t Forget to Eat
I could rarely work past 5:30pm with Max. He was at my feet, nudging me with his big head that it was time to eat. And if I didn’t pay him any mind, I was soon hearing gentle whines under my desk while he placed his nose on my knee. Even if I was in the middle of the project and tried to ignore him, I couldn’t focus on anything else - at least not well. If it wasn’t for him, I could have easily continued to work into the evening hours only to look up and find it’s 8pm and I’m hangry. And that’s not good for anyone.
Lesson #3: Get On the Ground
I had a habit during COVID of lying down with Max at the end of the day to “catch up.” (Stay with me, I know this sounds crazy). Lying on the floor was a natural part of my meditation practice anyway, so I simply moved it near Max’s bed. And I would chat (or vent) and he would get belly rubs. Now, as a new mom of a human being, I find myself lying on the floor with my daughter as well while she learns how to lift her head, and I need the comfort of the ground beneath me. But this practice is not just mental. Lying on the floor is literally a Yoga pose - Savasana or Corpse Pose. This pose calms the nervous system and helps lower cortisol in the body. “Being Grounded” can be very literal - and nothing could be easier than this.
Lesson #4 Find Your Circle
Have you ever finished a phone interview or received amazing news over text or email and began cheering in your home? Sure you have. And if you have a pet who loves you the way Max loved me, they were likely cheering right alongside you. I recall during one particularly hard year in 2016 when I received (finally) some good news via phone. When I hung up, Max was in the kitchen with me and I began dancing. Without a thought, Max was jumping alongside me. Find those people in your life who will jump for joy at any win for you - no matter how small. It doesn’t have to be an important job interview or major salary bump. Maybe you finally had that hard discussion at work, or you’ve been saving for a new refrigerator and it’s on sale (adulting is lame sometimes). If you’re excited about it, your people should be excited too.
Lesson #5: Stress Less
You can’t argue with facts. The American Heart Association has stated that dog owners tend to live longer than non-owners for all of the reasons that dog owners know. “Interacting with dogs can boost your production of ‘happy hormones’ such as oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine,” and less stress means lower blood pressure and less depression. Plus, dogs help put things into perspective. If you have ever had a bad day - or a bad meeting - you know how it can put you in a mood sometimes for the rest of the week. Whether it’s a person who you don’t get along with on your team, or it’s the job in general that you have to put up with because, you know, you need money, it can be helpful to know that there is joy in every day - just look at your pet. No matter how traumatizing a visit to a vet was, or how mean Mom was on our last walk for not letting us chase the squirrel, Max still found joy. Whether it was a newly filled peanut butter Kong, or when the afternoon sun hit his bed just right for this afternoon nap - he didn’t hold onto his bad moon. What is your one (or two) things that bring you joy no matter what? Find them and do them, especially on the hard days.
Max was a significant part of my life and in so many ways made me a better person, a better mother and a better worker. He taught me balance and patience and to never say no to an afternoon nap. It has been empty in our house without him - even with a one-month old keeping us busy. That’s because he was such a profound and positive presence in my life.
I hope these lessons resonate for you in some way. And if your best friend has given you important lessons you still live by, let me know: cassandra@turnthenextpage.com. I’d love to hear from you.