stress
We all experience stress, every day. Stress is only a problem when we have too much of it or when it interferes with other aspects of our lives – much like depression . Research shows that having a dog, petting a dog, walking a dog, and otherwise spending time with a pet is a stress-reducer. Petting a dog lowers our blood pressure and reduces stress hormones in your body. Do you know what else does that? Taking advice from a dog! That’s right, reading Dear Mishu’s column and trying to get in the mindset of a dog can definitely help reduce anxiety. Why? Because dogs have a simple approach to life and live in the moment, so they don’t get hung up with all the little things that cause humans to worry. So next time you start to feel tense or worried, just grab your dog for a pet or a walk, or open up dearmishu.com or @dearmishu on instagram and inhale a little of that dog peace!
I have so much empathy I often get overwhelmed with emotion. Am I normal, Diego asks, Mishu answers
Diego,
I’m pretty sensitive to my humans and when I notice they’re in distress, I do one of two things. If the distress comes from them, I just keep them company so they feel better. In this case, I don’t get upset myself (how could that even be helpful?), but I comfort them with my calmness. On the other hand, if I sense distress coming from an external source (i.e. someone they feel threatened by)… well I can get a little crazy trying to protect them. Not sure I recommend that for a human (I think barking would definitely make people think you’re weird), but either way you get the picture — when people you care about are distressed try focus on what you can do to help them, without getting too upset yourself.
Love you Diego!
❤️ Mishu
Dear Mishu, School is starting soon and I’m so stressed about my school workI can’t even enjoy my summer… help, Kiara asks, Mishu answers
Oh, Kiara! Your worth is not your grades or your test scores. Can you find…
Dear Mishu, I have a 6 year old dog who likes to pee on the carpet… A LOT. What should I do, Cate asks, Mishu answers
Dear Cate — I think if a 40+ year old human was peeing in their…
Dear Mishu, I’ve been with my boyfriend for 10 months but I think I may be attracted to girls. I want to experiment but I’m afraid to lose him, Naiara asks, Mishu answers
Dear Naiara – Talk to your boyfriend. Tell him what you feel, what you think, and what you hope to do and learn. Then listen to him and see if you are able to achieve what you both need together or need to separate for that… Then do what you need to do.
Love, Mishu
—-
Friends, does anyone know someone with experience in this situation who can share with Naiara?
Instagram, this makes me feel unloved….
Dear friends – I’m trying to follow my friend and @instagram has been blocking me for a month! I think I’m being “shadow banned”…. Any advice for me?
❤️ – Mishu
I have my dream job but the stress is destroying my home and social life. What should I do, W. asks, Mishu answers
Dear W. – I think you know what to do! You told me you don’t…
Dear Mishu, I want someone who did the unspeakable to get what they deserve. Am I bad person, Georgia asks, Mishu answers
Georgia, sweetie, you could never be a bad human! If we’re just talking about your…
Dear Mishu, I worry when I message close friends online and they don’t answer me back right away…, Grim asks, Mishu answers
Here’s Grim’s full question: “Hey Mishu, so I’ve been struggling in my communication with people…
I am a rescue and every time I kind of freak out when I see other dogs and scare them, but what I really want is to play. Then my mom gets upset because people are very judgy 😭 , Wink asks, Mishu answers
Dear @winkthepup – Story of my life, Wink. I didn’t used to bark at dogs,…
I have been so sick and my human is so #worried about me. It looks like I may have lymphoma. Do you have any tips, Bailey asks, Mishu answers
Dear Mishu, I have been so sick and my human is so worried about me….
Dear Mishu, My family doesn’t have a lot of money and some people at school bully me about the way I dress. Do you have any ideas for me, Jordan asks, Mishu answers
Dear Jordan – The best way to deal with bullies is to show them they…
Dear Mishu, I have been so sick and my human is so worried about me. It looks like I may have lymphoma. Do you have any tips? Bailey asks, Mishu answers
Dear Bailey, I’m very sorry to hear that you may have lymphoma. I asked my…
I’m stressing about things that are out of my control. I get anxiety and panic attacks, even though I try to take deep breaths…, Andrea asks, Mishu answers
Dear Mishu,
I’m stressing about things that are out of my control. I get anxiety and panic attacks, even though I try to take deep breaths…
❤️️ Andrea
It’s ok Mishu, we’ll get you some cool red shoes too if that’s what you want…..
It’s ok Mishu, we’ll get you some cool red shoes too if that’s what you want…..