A Llama Walk Reduced My Stress and Anxiety

I’d thought I’d attempted all of it. Then I heard concerning the llama walk.

When most individuals consider emotional support or therapy animals, dogs, cats, and horses might come to mind. But llamas actually make ideal therapy animals. I learned this recently after I signed up for a llama walk on the historic Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, Recent Hampshire. My guide, Jessica Jones, informed me that llamas are excellent at reading people’s energy, moods, and emotions. And despite false stereotypes, they’re actually known to have gentle, calm temperaments.

Those aspects might help to clarify why they’re getting used for a wide range of therapeutic purposes all around the globe—from reducing stress and aggression to improving mood, learning, and empathy in individuals with dementia, amongst other populations. While there isn’t a ton of research just yet on the advantages of hanging out with llamas, one 2006 study revealed that children with autism who underwent llamas-assisted therapy showed greater use of language and improved social interactions in comparison with those that did standard occupational therapy.

After an additional stressful 12 months, I used to be curious whether spending some quality time with a llama could really have mental health advantages for me. So, on an unseasonably warm morning in late October, I trekked right down to the barn at Mountain View Grand for a stroll with Bourbon, one among the resident llamas who goes on leashed walks throughout the mountainside resort grounds from spring to fall. Here’s what I noticed during and after our walk together.

Being with a llama gave me a surge of joy

Without fail, I at all times feel happier after spending time with animals—it’s one among the numerous the explanation why I used to volunteer at a neighborhood rescue. Researchers imagine that interacting with animals can boost your mood since it triggers the discharge of oxytocin and serotonin, so-called “feel-good hormones” which might be related to feelings of happiness, bonding, and pleasure. And my llama walk delivered exactly that: I felt a noticeable lift in mood not only during my walk with Bourbon, but in addition for the remaining of the day.

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I became more mindful of any anxious energy that arose

A 2011 review found that animal-assisted therapy with livestock, specifically, may help reduce depression and anxiety in individuals with diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

While educating me on the way to guide a llama, Jones noted that the leash is basically an emotional cord that connects me to Bourbon. “Whatever you’re feeling, he’ll start feeling,” she explained.

Knowing this made me turn out to be super aware of and in tune with my emotions. I definitely didn’t want Bourbon to soak up any of my potential anxiety, so I made it some extent to do some deep respiratory as I walked alongside him. It wasn’t nearly me—I used to be caring for him, too, which made me more mindful of my energy.

I let my guard down

Certainly one of the symptoms of my complex PTSD is hypervigilance. This implies I consistently feel like I’m on high alert and looking out for signs of any potential danger.

Llamas are likely to function protectors for herds of smaller animals—and Jones told me that Bourbon, specifically, takes this role very seriously. In reality, he’s often known as the unofficial “secret service” for the farm. (I got an inexplicable amount of glee picturing Bourbon with an earpiece, tie, and a pair of dark shades.)

Interestingly, as my walk with Bourbon went on and I became more comfortable holding the leash, I felt the stress in my body progressively ease up. My respiratory steadied. It was as if I knew I could chill out because my llama guardian was looking out for me.

The llama’s peaceful demeanor rubbed off on me

One of the common misconceptions about llamas is that they’re unpleasant and even aggressive. In point of fact, it’s extremely rare for llamas to spit on people—they only resort to this mechanism in the event that they’re provoked, and feel super threatened. Jones warned me that llamas don’t generally wish to be touched. In reality, moms don’t even engage in much physical contact with their young. Knowing this helped me to avoid crossing any boundaries and making Bourbon uncomfortable.

After all, like all animals, llamas can vary in personality. For instance, Jones told me that Bourbon is more serious, while one among the opposite farm’s llamas—Finnegan—has a more playful personality and loves posing for photos.

And it looked as if it would me that the emotional connection through the leash ran each ways. By the top of the stroll, it was as if I had absorbed Bourbon’s serene and focused energy. During conversations with my husband later that day, I noticed that I felt less reactive and more patient.

By the top of the stroll, it was as if I had absorbed Bourbon’s serene and focused energy.

It’s price noting that I probably benefited not only from interacting with Bourbon, but in addition from spending time in nature. A 2019 review found that exposure to nature can increase happiness while decreasing mental distress. In response to one other 2019 study, even spending just 20 to half-hour in a natural environment can actually reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

I experienced a lift in confidence

Research has found that spending time with livestock in nature can even increase self-esteem and self-efficacy.

For me, I believe this profit stemmed from the incontrovertible fact that I needed to learn the way to lead an animal I’d never interacted with before. Admittedly, I used to be nervous at first. I didn’t need to choke up too far on the leash and find yourself causing Bourbon any discomfort, but Jones also made it clear that giving an excessive amount of slack would make it unimaginable to guide him in the fitting direction. I frightened about keeping the proper amount of distance—not so little that I impeded on his personal space, but not a lot that I lost control. I are likely to panic when coping with unfamiliar situations, and self-doubt often creeps in when I actually have to play the role of leader.

But about 10 minutes into the walk, my confidence began to grow. Observing how Bourbon followed me around corners, down steps, and up hills reinforced that I’m fully able to handling the situation. It also gave me a way of accomplishment that I attempted something latest and nothing bad happened.

When Jones told my husband and me that Bourbon seemed more relaxed around us than he normally did on these walks with guests, I felt an immense sense of pride. Perhaps—just perhaps—I wasn’t the just one who reaped some advantages from that Saturday morning stroll.