Aly Raisman Shares How Her Dog Mylo Has Positively Impacted Her Mental Heath: ‘Feels Like Home’ (Exclusive)

Raisman tells PEOPLE that she and her dog Mylo both use green tea and chamomile to calm their anxiety

Aly Raisman is opening up about how her dog Mylo changed her life!

"I always joke with my friends, I don't even remember what I did or who I was before I had Mylo because he is just such a big part of who I am and what I do on a daily basis," the retired gymnast, 30, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview for her partnership with EverRoot dog supplements powered by Purina.

Raisman, who has spent many years as an advocate for mental health among athletes and beyond, explains how her rescue dog, who she's had for about four years, has positively impacted her mental health.

"No matter what happens in my life, I feel like if I can come home to Mylo, it really feels like home and he feels very much like a safe place for me," she says, admitting that she sleeps better every night with the canine by her side.

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Some of the responsibilities of being a pet owner also provide Raisman comfort and force her to slow down and enjoy the quiet moments in life.

"I also feel very inspired by Milo because we can do the same thing every day. We can go for a walk, we can play fetch, we can go to the dog park. No matter how many times we do that, he's always going to be so excited," she says. "And it's just a nice reminder of how present he is, and it makes me want to be more present and take in those moments like that."

She and Mylo are so connected that when it comes to regulating her dog's mood, Raisman says she gives him EverRoot's Calming supplement, which contains ingredients she uses to calm her own anxiety like green tea and chamomile.

Related: Aly Raisman Praises 2 Rescuers Who Saved Missing Dog Mylo: 'Such Good People'

"When I drink green tea, it actually helps calm me down and relaxes me," she says, noting that it makes her feel good to give Mylo supplements with green tea extract in it.

The active ingredient in green tea extract, L-theanine, is proven safe for dogs who need help staying calm, per Front of the Pack.

"He's very anxious in the car," Raisman says of her fur baby.

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As for maintaining her mental health amid her busy schedule, Raisman tells PEOPLE that there's one non-negotiable that her body forces her to follow no matter what.

"I've read this quote online that says, 'If you don't pick a day to rest, your body will pick it for you,'" the 6-time Olympic medalist says. "I really try to check in with how I'm feeling and I have had to learn if I'm not feeling well or I'm just actually having a lot of anxiety more than usual, I feel it's really important for me to take that moment for myself and rest."

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