Can Cats help us Improve our Mental Health?

While Cats are so darn picky creatures yet around 10 to 30 percent of us call ourselves “cat people”—not dog people,. So why do we choose to bring these fluffballs into our homes—and spend over hundreds and thousands on one who isn’t genetically related to us and frankly seems ungrateful most of the time?

The answer is quite  obvious—and probably all cat lovers out there, who don’t need any scientific research to justify their fierce love. But researchers  have studied it and found that out , while our feline friends may not be good for our furniture, they might be extremely helpful to our physical and mental health.

As per a 2015  research conducted by Indiana University, 7000 people were surveyed about their moods, emotions, energy levels, and optimism before and after watching cat videos on internet. As a result, a high percentage of people reported more cheerfulness, more energy, and less negative feelings. The study found that merely watching cat videos improves mental wellbeing.

Feline Connection: A boon to our Mental Health

1. Cats Are Fuzzy Stress Relievers

Adopting a cat is like  adopting a walking, meowing, snarky, stress reliever. These creatures  may reduce stress in a variety of ways by simply being cats. When you’ve had a difficult day, just by spending time cuddling a cuddly kitty might induce your body to create stress-relieving chemicals. When you do this, your heart rate and blood pressure drop, and your anxiety level returns to normal.

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2. Many people benefit from having a pet

Cats and dogs, along with a variety of other stress-relieving activities, have helped students and individuals  to relieve and cope up during the stressful situations. Cats are also commonly used in hospitals and nursing homes to assist people cope with stress. Sitting with your cat and caressing them can have a long-term good impact on your health.

Related: A Deep Dive into Mental Health Problems Faced by Psychology Students

3. Cats Make Wonderful Companions

Another advantage of owning a cat is the sense of camaraderie, which has a favorable impact on mental health. Having a cat can make individuals feel less lonely and give them purpose. Having an animal to rely on, and to be loved in such a pure way may improve your mental health. The bond formed with a pet provides regularity, encouragement, and optimism, which may be quite beneficial to many people who struggle with negativity in human relationships.

Animal interactions, just like friendships, family, and romantic relationships, can be equally  beneficial to one’s mental health. Whether a person has mental health challenges or not, having a relationship with an animal is fulfilling. Knowing that your furry little one is waiting for you at home  to  add joy to your boring  life and prevent loneliness. And as long as you give your cat enough of gentle affection and tasty goodies, she will repay you with head boops, purrs, and lap naps. The human and the cat are both delighted.

4. Cats Have the Healing Power of the Purr!

A cat’s purring frequency ranges from 20 to 140 Hz, which is recognized to be therapeutically beneficial for human ailments. A cat’s purr may reduce stress, ease laborious breathing, lower blood pressure, treat infections, and even repair bones. It might be difficult for some people to justify the benefits of cats to their mental health. However, research have demonstrated and verified that the physical impacts are genuine. So it’s not hard to believe that  purrs can not only help repair bones, but also can  decrease the level of stress and worry. Any cat lover will tell you how pleasant it is to touch a sleeping cat while listening to their Purr!

Related: What Relation Does Humans And Animals Share?

5. Cats are great therapy animals

Therapy animals are extremely helpful in a variety of scenarios in life. Pet therapy is widely employed in schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres. Horses are popular as therapy animals in addiction settings because they require trust and the ability to form bonds. Dogs are popular therapy animals for troops suffering from PTSD because they have a soothing impact on their owners, similar to cats. Those with dementia, who have been sexually assaulted, or who suffer from seizures, considers therapy animals for emotional and physical basis.

6. Cats improve our mental and physical wellness.

Cats are excellent therapy animals for a range of therapies due to their ability to relax us, reduce tension, and provide companionship. While a cat is not a replacement for medicine or treatment, there is no doubt that has a positive impact on mental health. Cats are caring and friendly creatures, despite their reputation for being aloof and independent.

Every cat is unique, but cat lovers especially appreciate and cherish their distinct personalities and quirks. We had no idea that cats may improve our mental health just by being themselves. Their capacity to decrease stress, provide companionship, heal with purrs, and serve as therapy animals makes them perfect advocates for mental health.

Take Away

Cats provide a unique and significant contribution to our mental health and well-being, whether through the relaxing impact of caressing them, the therapeutic power of their purrs, or the social relationships developed through cat ownership. As we continue to investigate the link between cats and mental health, it becomes obvious that these feline friends play an important role in enhancing our general well-being. By accepting cats’ healing abilities, we may form a stronger bond with these magnificent creatures while also enjoying  the mental health advantages they provide.