Dr. Ginger has a prescription for you: Watch two cats and call her in the morning! lol Seriously, do you know the many ways that cats (and animals) can be healing for our minds and bodies? Read on:
- Cats Are Natural Mood Enhancers
Cats can lower one’s level of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and increase serotonin, a chemical associated with well-being.
2. Cats Keep Blood Pressure in Check
Having a pet helps lower blood pressure. In one study, scientists visited 240 married couples in their homes. Compared to people without pets, people with pets had lower heart rate and blood pressure levels when resting and when asked to do stressful tasks (performing mental arithmetic or when holding an icy pack against their skin. People with pets even recovered from stress more quickly than people who did not have pets. Among pet owners, the lowest stress response and quickest recovery was observed when the pets were. sounds like our cats are truly our protectors! In yet another study, children with hypertension lowered their blood pressure while petting their dog.
3. Petting Cats Helps Depression
Some therapist prescribe a pet as a way of dealing with and recovering from depression.
4. Cat Owners Have Fewer Strokes
Research shows that cat owners have fewer strokes than people who don’t own cats. Maybe because cats divert us from our stressful worries.
5. Cats Can Help Kids have Stronger Immune Systems
Researchers have found that when children grow up in a home with a cat they are less likely to develop allergies and stronger immune systems.
6. Cats Can Help ADHD
Kids with ADHD can benefit from working with and keeping a pet.
7. Cats are Good for the Heart.
In a 20 year study, people who owned a cat were 40% less likely to die of a heart attack. Overall, pet owners have a lower risk of dying from any cardiac disease, including heart failure.
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In summary, cats (and pets, too) are good for your health. Don’t have a cat? Visit someone who does. Or visit a cat cafe or animal shelter. Research also suggests just watching cat videos can decrease stress and anxiety as well! So there are lots of ways to get your daily dose of cats today.
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Very interesting!
Thank you for these important reminders. Cats help my stress level and these cuddling cats make me feel good all over XOXOXO
these cuddling Bromancers are really grand for your health comforting and calm loving
and sweet you can’t beat the love these two brothers have for each other and their human
parents and oh the stories they tell they are magnificent for your health and funny bones to
we love these cuties / beauty’s hugs much love the cats and me x o
Thank you for your kind compliment our friend! Thank goodness cats have stepped in and offered their silliness to give us a needed reprieve from the news media. 💛💜🧡😼😸🐈