The separation of the couple can mean a great trauma for many people.This can even be one of their worst episodes, and not knowing how to cope could lead to other more serious problems.

Most people have experienced emotional pain at least once after breaking up with a loved one. In such circumstances, it seems to that person that the whole world is falling apart and that there is no strength to continue living without his soul mate.

Overcoming a separation in a healthy way

People who lose their partner to widowhood or divorce do not really feel alone and they cope better when they have the help of an important ally.

The balm after the loss of a partner, through widowhood or divorce, seems to be the company of a pet. According to a Florida State University study published in The Gerontologist. The presence of a pet can help reduce feelings of depression and loneliness in people over 50 .

There is evidence that social support networks are actually beneficial for maintaining mental health after stressful events. Despite the frustration we experience in later life when we experience significant social loss, the study notes.

The research team compared people who experienced the loss of a partner with those who did not have to deal with a similar event. They then investigated whether the effects of divorce or widowhood differed for people who had a pet when they lost their partner.

The results showed that all the people who lost their partner experienced higher levels of depression. However, people who did not have a pet had a more significant increase in depressive symptoms and more loneliness than those who did not have a pet.

A pet is the perfect ally to overcome a loss

In practice, people who had a pet and were alone due to widowhood or divorce did not really feel lonely. They did not feel more lonely compared to older people who had not lost their partner.

It is normal for depression to appear after a loss, but we can usually adjust it over time. On the other hand, persistent loneliness is associated with increased mortality and a more rapid onset of disability.

Our findings show that pets could help avoid the negative consequences of loneliness from a loss.