Want to Feel Better? Go Stroke Your Cat!
by: Larry Chamberlain
Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It has long been
known that pet ownership is good for you, we all need someone or
something to love. It is also believed that stroking a pet, such
as a cat, reduces stress levels and helps you to have a more positive
perspective on life.
Stroking a cat, and listening to the sound of its contented purring,
reduces tension and lowers your blood pressure it is believed.
A study was made of a group of people before and after they acquired
a pet, the majority reported that their health had improved in as
little as three to nine months. The people who owned dogs reported
the greatest health benefits, because of the exercise involved in
walking the dog, but cat owners too said that they felt a lot better
even though they were not so active.
Many senior citizens homes have "residential" cats, and
staff report these pets as being of great benefit to the residents,
helping them feel more comfortable and to remind them of normal
home life. The physical contact with the pet can be therapeutic,
and the activity needed to care for the cat gives the residences
a sense of purpose. The need for medications falls quite substantially
in nursing homes where there is a cat available for stroking, and
the act of stroking can help recovery after an illness.
Of course, it is not only seniors that benefit from the company
of a cat. Whatever your age sharing your home with a cat means that
you will need the services of your doctor less often and be less
likely to feel isolated or lonely. Children also benefit from having
pets in the home. Studies have shown that many children believe
that their cat helps them with their relationships with other family
members and friends.
The American Journal of Cardiology published an article in 1995
attesting that those of us that own pets are more likely to make
a recovery from a heart attack than non pet owners. One of the explanations
for this was that stroking a pet releases endorphins into the brain
calming the nervous system, and therefore lowering your heart rate.
So, if you want to feel better, forget about your favorite tipple,
forget about chocolate, simply go stroke your cat.
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About The Author
Larry Chamberlain is a lifelong lover of cats and lives in
London England. He is the webmaster and owner of best-cat-art.com.
If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce
the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article
is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box
and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com.
Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles.
Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends.
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