New Year Pet Wellness Routine: Mindfulness and Mushrooms
4 minute read
We all love the warmth of the holiday season, the family time, the celebrations, the travel, and even the wonderfully chaotic “to-do” lists that come with it. But once January arrives, it feels like a gentle exhale. It’s the perfect moment to slow down, reconnect with our pets, and create a few simple, mindful habits that help set a calmer tone for the year ahead.
In This Article
- The Power of Presence: A Calmer Start to the Year
- Small Rituals, Big Shifts
- Enhancing Wellness with Functional Mushrooms
- Watch, Learn & Connect
The Power of Presence: A Calmer Start to the Year
Our pets tune in to us more than we realize, and mindfulness can help both sides of the leash. Harvard Health describes mindfulness as simply paying attention to the present moment, and notes that even something like a slow, attentive walk with your dog can deepen connection and reduce stress for both of you. You can read the full article here: Mindfulness and your Dog
Chief Veterinary Officer for Real Mushrooms, Dr. Rob Silver, DVM, MS, has seen this deep connection play out again and again in practice:
"As a veterinarian of over 40 years of practice experience, one consistent finding has been that people and their pets mirror each other. This is seen in their behaviors; a nervous pet parent often has a nervous pet, just as a friendly client has an outgoing animal. More profoundly, in some cases, the long-standing health patterns of the pet parent would parallel a problem their pet may have.”
Dr. Silver refers to this phenomenon as the Therapeutic Pair: a common health issue manifesting in both the human and the pet within the same household. Insight into the pet parent’s state of health gives veterinarians guidance, allowing them to suggest solutions that the human may have already encountered in managing their own medical problem.
Being mindful of yourself and your pet goes a long way to identifying and supporting any commonly held medical issues in a household.
Small Rituals, Big Shifts
Carving out a few quiet moments to be still with your dog or cat can be a beautiful way to share calm energy and help foster bonding more than we realize.
Dr. Paul Jerard, in Meditation with Pets - Dogs and Cats, notes that while puppies and kittens may be more curious than calm, many adult dogs and cats naturally gravitate toward us when we slow down, breathe, and sit in stillness. Pets seem to recognize the shift in our energy and often choose to be right there with us: resting at our feet, curling into our lap, or simply sharing the space.
It’s often the smallest rituals, done with consistency and care, that create the most impact. The beauty is that you don’t need a long session or a perfect setup. Just a few moments of sitting quietly with your pets can become a grounding ritual.
Over time, those small intentional moments often grow into a comforting habit for you and your pet. Allow your pet to choose where they want to be during this time. Some may rest near you, others may curl up against you, and some may simply stay elsewhere in the room. They will still sense and benefit from the calm energy you’re creating, settling into the same quiet pace.
This shared pause deepens connection and creates space for calm in the middle of everyday life, reminding us that presence doesn’t need to be complicated or long to be meaningful. You can read more in the article “Meditation with Pets – Dogs and Cats” at Aura Wellness Center.
Enhancing Wellness with Functional Mushrooms
As we settle into these calming habits, adding functional mushrooms to our daily mindfulness and wellness routines can support a holistic approach to everyday wellbeing. Two mushrooms that pair well with mindfulness practices are:
- Reishi: Traditionally known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” Reishi has a long history of use in mindful and holistic wellness practices. It has a grounding and calming effect that is a perfect companion for evening wind-downs.
- Lion’s Mane: Known for its cognitive support, Lion’s Mane is another favorite that fits naturally into quiet rituals, whether it’s meditation, a slow start to the day, or a gentle evening pause.
Adding mushroom extracts to your pet’s meal while you take your own mindful moment can become a shared ritual that gently nurtures a sense of connection. Over time, these small, consistent practices can help create a more peaceful rhythm that supports your entire household in the days and months ahead.
Watch, Learn & Connect
If you missed our recent monthly Live Pet Q&A with Dr. Rob Silver, DVM, MS, and Joni Kamlet, RVT, CCRA, or would like to rewatch earlier sessions, you can find the replays here.
To stay connected and get updates on future Q&A dates, follow our Real Mushrooms for Pets Facebook Page, our Facebook Group, and our Instagram. We always look forward to seeing you there.
From all of us at Real Mushrooms, we wish you and your pets a peaceful, connected start to the new year. Thank you for being part of our community. We’re grateful to share this journey in wellness and mindful living with you.
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