SUMMARY POINTS
Another day and another dollar. The same bullshit at work day-in and day-out.
Your day is filled with the ebbs and flows of wrangling through tons of emails, replying to voice mails, attending drawn-out meetings and calls, dealing with asshole coworkers and putting up with your boss’ erratic thoughts and directions.
You’re trying to get real work done, but when was the last time you actually had a block of time to yourself to get shit done?
Urgent requests come down from the top and get dropped in your lap. The pop-up fires you put out all day pull you away from your projects. And of course, all the grunt work that needs to be done.
The stresses of work build up throughout the day and by the time you clock out, you’re pretty much spent. Your mental fuel tank only has just enough for you to commute back home.
After fighting your way back home, you walk into your home and just want to collapse.
And die.
But, there’s your furry feline friend - elegantly waving their tail and rubbing their body across your legs and welcoming you home.
It’s an injection of love energy that gives you a much-needed boost to the end of your day.
You give Felix a few pets and head scratches and shift your attention to taking care of home life stuff for the rest of the evening.
Little did you know that you just passed up a great opportunity for some stress relief.
Your day is filled with the ebbs and flows of wrangling through tons of emails, replying to voice mails, attending drawn-out meetings and calls, dealing with asshole coworkers and putting up with your boss’ erratic thoughts and directions.
You’re trying to get real work done, but when was the last time you actually had a block of time to yourself to get shit done?
Urgent requests come down from the top and get dropped in your lap. The pop-up fires you put out all day pull you away from your projects. And of course, all the grunt work that needs to be done.
The stresses of work build up throughout the day and by the time you clock out, you’re pretty much spent. Your mental fuel tank only has just enough for you to commute back home.
After fighting your way back home, you walk into your home and just want to collapse.
And die.
But, there’s your furry feline friend - elegantly waving their tail and rubbing their body across your legs and welcoming you home.
It’s an injection of love energy that gives you a much-needed boost to the end of your day.
You give Felix a few pets and head scratches and shift your attention to taking care of home life stuff for the rest of the evening.
Little did you know that you just passed up a great opportunity for some stress relief.
Cats Are Natural Stress Relievers - No Kitten Around
For all the cat fans out there, you already know that cats have this innate ability to heal aching minds and turn around negative emotions. Their gentle head nudges, soft purrs, leg body rubs and all the other things that they do to show love and affection make any shitty day melt away.
After getting through a rough day at work, there’s nothing more relaxing and de-stressing than just snuggling up with your kitty and petting their soft fur. It’s this simple activity that brings so many benefits to you (and your cat).
Here are just some of the ways that cats relieve stress and improve your mental health.
After getting through a rough day at work, there’s nothing more relaxing and de-stressing than just snuggling up with your kitty and petting their soft fur. It’s this simple activity that brings so many benefits to you (and your cat).
Here are just some of the ways that cats relieve stress and improve your mental health.
Reduces Cortisol Levels
This study from Washington State University shows that just ten minutes of petting cats significantly reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels. To cat lovers, this isn’t anything new or groundbreaking. They just bring so much love and affection that it makes you feel good all over.
Dogs have the same effect too. However, there’s something more elegant and calming with cats that dogs just can’t match.
Dogs have the same effect too. However, there’s something more elegant and calming with cats that dogs just can’t match.
Lowers Heart Rate And Blood Pressure
Unlike dogs, cats aren’t as frenetic and jumpy. They’re more chill and relaxed.
Think about it, when was the last time you saw a cat get the zoomies?
This more laid-back and calmer personality really helps to dial down your heart rate and blood pressure. Just watching a curled-up cat snoozing is enough to calm down any crazy bullshit racing around in your head.
Think about it, when was the last time you saw a cat get the zoomies?
This more laid-back and calmer personality really helps to dial down your heart rate and blood pressure. Just watching a curled-up cat snoozing is enough to calm down any crazy bullshit racing around in your head.
Improves Your Mood
Even on the worst awful days at work, cats have a way of knowing exactly what to do to make you feel tons better.
It’s like those days when you’ve had nonstop arguments at work or even worse, having to deal with your asshole boss. Or maybe, the shit hit the fan at the office and you ended up spending your entire day putting out fires.
No matter how shitty your day was, the moment you set foot in your home and see your furry friend and hear the meows, all the bad mojo starts to melt away.
Within moments, cats innately know what to do to cheer you up. They sense it. They know what to do. It’s incredible.
It’s like those days when you’ve had nonstop arguments at work or even worse, having to deal with your asshole boss. Or maybe, the shit hit the fan at the office and you ended up spending your entire day putting out fires.
No matter how shitty your day was, the moment you set foot in your home and see your furry friend and hear the meows, all the bad mojo starts to melt away.
Within moments, cats innately know what to do to cheer you up. They sense it. They know what to do. It’s incredible.
Balances Your Hormones
When you’re stressed AF, your cortisol levels shoot through the roof. And in many cases, your adrenaline is on full boil too.
The combination of these two “fight or flight” hormones is a natural response to life-threatening situations, but often, our hormonal systems over-react to things that aren’t really life-threatening but still kinda shitty like reorgs and layoffs.
Cats help to bring more balance to your hormones by reducing stress hormones and upping the feel-good hormones like oxytocin, the cuddle hormone.
The combination of these two “fight or flight” hormones is a natural response to life-threatening situations, but often, our hormonal systems over-react to things that aren’t really life-threatening but still kinda shitty like reorgs and layoffs.
Cats help to bring more balance to your hormones by reducing stress hormones and upping the feel-good hormones like oxytocin, the cuddle hormone.
Resets Your Mind
You know that feeling you get after you’ve vented to your work BFF and got everything off your chest?
That feeling of lightness after unloading all the mental and emotional bullshit?
When you’ve cleared out and processed your thoughts and emotions, it’s like hitting the reset button on yourself.
And when you spend time with your cat, this exact thing also happens. When you’re with whiskers, they have an invisible power that deletes all of the corrupted files in your head and then, empties the trash bin in your mind.
That feeling of lightness after unloading all the mental and emotional bullshit?
When you’ve cleared out and processed your thoughts and emotions, it’s like hitting the reset button on yourself.
And when you spend time with your cat, this exact thing also happens. When you’re with whiskers, they have an invisible power that deletes all of the corrupted files in your head and then, empties the trash bin in your mind.
How To Meditate With Your Cat, Fur Real
Let’s set the record straight. This isn’t about getting Oscar to sit down with you and chant “om” for with your eyes closed. Everyone knows that forcing a cat to do anything usually results in them losing interest and going off to do their own thing.
The key is to match their mood. They’re independent but loving creatures. If they’re playful, play along with them. If they’re content and calm, mirror that same state.
In whatever state you end up matching, the key is to be relaxed, content and most importantly, focus your attention on the here and now of being with your cat.
And that’s the name of the game with meditation. It’s about being “in the moment” and not thinking about what happened yesterday, today or what may happen tomorrow or next week. It’s about the here and now.
If you haven’t meditated before, check out our ultimate newbie’s guide to meditating at work sometime. In the meantime, this cat variation will do the trick.
Let’s get into it.
The key is to match their mood. They’re independent but loving creatures. If they’re playful, play along with them. If they’re content and calm, mirror that same state.
In whatever state you end up matching, the key is to be relaxed, content and most importantly, focus your attention on the here and now of being with your cat.
And that’s the name of the game with meditation. It’s about being “in the moment” and not thinking about what happened yesterday, today or what may happen tomorrow or next week. It’s about the here and now.
If you haven’t meditated before, check out our ultimate newbie’s guide to meditating at work sometime. In the meantime, this cat variation will do the trick.
Let’s get into it.
1) Long Body Strokes
This is a fantastic method to bring on the chillaxing vibes. If Kit-Kat is all stretched out and their body is laying long on their side, do long, slow, full-body strokes from head to tail.
Gently rub their head and then slowly glide your hand to their shoulder and continue that stroke all the way across the side of their body.
Listen to them purr.
Feel the purring vibrations with your hand.
Try matching your long strokes with slow breathing cycles of inhales and exhales.
You’ve heard of “me-time” - well, this is “we-time”.
Gently rub their head and then slowly glide your hand to their shoulder and continue that stroke all the way across the side of their body.
Listen to them purr.
Feel the purring vibrations with your hand.
Try matching your long strokes with slow breathing cycles of inhales and exhales.
You’ve heard of “me-time” - well, this is “we-time”.
2) Stroking Their Cheeks
Ever notice how cats use their cheeks to rub up against you? Or really anything for that matter?
This action is called “bunting” and the primary reason for this is that it serves as a way for them to scent mark you as part of their family - awww, so sweet!
It’s also a social bonding mechanism that you can use to meditate with Sir Meow-A-Lot.
By slowing stroking their cheeks, you’re reinforcing the social bonding and letting them know that you are in fact “theirs”.
This action is called “bunting” and the primary reason for this is that it serves as a way for them to scent mark you as part of their family - awww, so sweet!
It’s also a social bonding mechanism that you can use to meditate with Sir Meow-A-Lot.
By slowing stroking their cheeks, you’re reinforcing the social bonding and letting them know that you are in fact “theirs”.
3) Massaging Their Paw Pads
You know how awesomely relaxing it is to get a foot massage, right?
It can be the same for Mr. Boots too!
You know your cat better than anybody else. And some cats are totally cool with getting their paw pads rubbed while others less so.
If they’re good with it, gently massage their footpads in a circular motion clockwise and counter-clockwise. Feel how warm their little paw pads are and how soft their foot fur is.
Work your way around each of their paws and you’ll see them drift into la-la-land. And in turn, just seeing this will make you relaxed too. You just might end up taking a nap right alongside them too.
It can be the same for Mr. Boots too!
You know your cat better than anybody else. And some cats are totally cool with getting their paw pads rubbed while others less so.
If they’re good with it, gently massage their footpads in a circular motion clockwise and counter-clockwise. Feel how warm their little paw pads are and how soft their foot fur is.
Work your way around each of their paws and you’ll see them drift into la-la-land. And in turn, just seeing this will make you relaxed too. You just might end up taking a nap right alongside them too.
4) Tummy Rubs
If your little tiger is a big fan of tummy rubs, play it up!
You’ve seen this countless times, they’ll plop down on the floor and roll onto their back and expose their belly. It also happens anytime they happen to be laying around near you and they catch your attention.
It’s a clear signal. They want some belly rubs!
If you see this, drop what you’re doing and give ‘em some belly rubs. Maybe, even try tickling them a bit. Really observe how much they’re enjoying your touches and when you see that it’s making them happy, it’ll make you happy too.
You’ve seen this countless times, they’ll plop down on the floor and roll onto their back and expose their belly. It also happens anytime they happen to be laying around near you and they catch your attention.
It’s a clear signal. They want some belly rubs!
If you see this, drop what you’re doing and give ‘em some belly rubs. Maybe, even try tickling them a bit. Really observe how much they’re enjoying your touches and when you see that it’s making them happy, it’ll make you happy too.
5) Listening And Feeling Them Purr
It’s common knowledge that cats purr and they do this to show and express their contentedness and relaxation.
However, what you may not know is that a cat’s purring may actually serve another purpose beyond expressing its calm happy state. Some animal scientists believe that purring is a form of self-healing.
Cats purr at frequencies between 20Hz and 150Hz. This is thought to help cats heal and strengthen bones.
And guess what?
These are the same frequency ranges that certain therapeutic methods use to heal human bone and tissue. Crazy, right?
So, listening AND feeling Morris purr is a great way for you to get some of that healing power, even if it’s only emotional.
How about a mini 3-minute purr session, right now?
VIDEO: Cat Purring
YOUTUBE: The Dodo
LENGTH: 3:36
However, what you may not know is that a cat’s purring may actually serve another purpose beyond expressing its calm happy state. Some animal scientists believe that purring is a form of self-healing.
Cats purr at frequencies between 20Hz and 150Hz. This is thought to help cats heal and strengthen bones.
And guess what?
These are the same frequency ranges that certain therapeutic methods use to heal human bone and tissue. Crazy, right?
So, listening AND feeling Morris purr is a great way for you to get some of that healing power, even if it’s only emotional.
How about a mini 3-minute purr session, right now?
VIDEO: Cat Purring
YOUTUBE: The Dodo
LENGTH: 3:36
Summary points:
6) Staring Out The Window Together
Cats can stare out the window for hours, watching birds, squirrels and other random things or more simply, just watching the world go by.
Why not join them?
When you see Molly perched at her usual viewing spot, go get yourself a cup of coffee or tea (or cofftea) and sit down next to them and just chill.
You can do a coffee meditation while sitting with Molly. Let your thoughts come and go as you savor your fav java and stare out the window and zone out together like you don’t have any cares in the world.
Why not join them?
When you see Molly perched at her usual viewing spot, go get yourself a cup of coffee or tea (or cofftea) and sit down next to them and just chill.
You can do a coffee meditation while sitting with Molly. Let your thoughts come and go as you savor your fav java and stare out the window and zone out together like you don’t have any cares in the world.
7) Playing Together
Cats are naturally curious and inquisitive. They also get into their hunter mode as natural predators. When these two moods combine, you have a frisky cat that wants to chase, grab, leap, pounce, bite, etc.
And you know when this happens. You’ve seen it happen tons of times.
This is officially playtime for the cat. And, you need to stop what you’re doing and just join in on the fun.
So grab that fishing rod cat toy or even a laser pointer and go to town. It’s not only satisfying their natural predatory instincts, but also giving them a bit of exercise and yourself some great laughs.
And you know when this happens. You’ve seen it happen tons of times.
This is officially playtime for the cat. And, you need to stop what you’re doing and just join in on the fun.
So grab that fishing rod cat toy or even a laser pointer and go to town. It’s not only satisfying their natural predatory instincts, but also giving them a bit of exercise and yourself some great laughs.
8) Just Watching Them Sleep
There’s almost nothing more soothing than seeing a cat all curled up and sleeping. It’s the equivalent of visual Xanax. It just melts away your anxiety and stress.
When Whiskers is all curled up and sleeping nearby, take a minute and just watch her sleep. See how content she is. How comfy and relaxed she is.
Relish the moment and imagine that she’s dreaming about you and all the hugs, kisses and belly rubs.
This will be one of the best one-minute meditations that you can do to quickly calm your mind and make you smile.
When Whiskers is all curled up and sleeping nearby, take a minute and just watch her sleep. See how content she is. How comfy and relaxed she is.
Relish the moment and imagine that she’s dreaming about you and all the hugs, kisses and belly rubs.
This will be one of the best one-minute meditations that you can do to quickly calm your mind and make you smile.
9) Cuddling Them Like A Baby
Who doesn’t treat and love their feline like a baby?
They’re not just a pet. They are a part of the family. And for many, they are truly the baby of the family.
Holding Simba in your arms like a newborn baby has some pretty awesome effects.
There’s a rush of oxytocin from cuddling and dopamine from the sense of reward and fulfillment. It’s a double-whammy of goodness that can easily wipe away the mountain of bullshit from your crazy day.
Just knowing that you have this waiting for you at home can make getting through rough days at work much easier.
They’re not just a pet. They are a part of the family. And for many, they are truly the baby of the family.
Holding Simba in your arms like a newborn baby has some pretty awesome effects.
There’s a rush of oxytocin from cuddling and dopamine from the sense of reward and fulfillment. It’s a double-whammy of goodness that can easily wipe away the mountain of bullshit from your crazy day.
Just knowing that you have this waiting for you at home can make getting through rough days at work much easier.
10) Sharing Thoughts And Emotions
It’s always good to vent and get things off your chest. We’ve mentioned venting to your friends before and that’s always a great option.
But, there will be times when your friends aren’t around or when you don’t want to call them up at 2am to speak your mind. This is when having Max around is perfect.
He can be your in-house therapist listener.
When you’ve got a lot on your mind and need to unload some mental baggage, have an informal sit down with Max. Explain what’s been bugging you, keeping you up a night (besides his own antics) and bothering you.
The more you verbalize your thoughts and emotions, the better you’ll feel. It’s one of the best ways to manage work stress.
But, there will be times when your friends aren’t around or when you don’t want to call them up at 2am to speak your mind. This is when having Max around is perfect.
He can be your in-house therapist listener.
When you’ve got a lot on your mind and need to unload some mental baggage, have an informal sit down with Max. Explain what’s been bugging you, keeping you up a night (besides his own antics) and bothering you.
The more you verbalize your thoughts and emotions, the better you’ll feel. It’s one of the best ways to manage work stress.
With Cat Meditations, You’ll Be Feline Good
It’s another long-ass day at work and you’re completely spent.
You turn the keys in the door to unlock and open it and just like every other time, there’s Felix loyally greeting you at the entrance with his happy “miss you” meows.
But unlike last time, you don’t shortchange the opportunity.
You put away your stuff and spend the next 30 minutes playing, cuddling, kissing, hugging and just being with each other, giving each other oodles of happiness.
This is the way it is meant to be.
Being “in the moment” with your cat in whatever form it may be is a guaranteed way to melt away all of your stresses from the day and reset yourself to a much better cattitude.
Stay PAWsitive!
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]
You turn the keys in the door to unlock and open it and just like every other time, there’s Felix loyally greeting you at the entrance with his happy “miss you” meows.
But unlike last time, you don’t shortchange the opportunity.
You put away your stuff and spend the next 30 minutes playing, cuddling, kissing, hugging and just being with each other, giving each other oodles of happiness.
This is the way it is meant to be.
Being “in the moment” with your cat in whatever form it may be is a guaranteed way to melt away all of your stresses from the day and reset yourself to a much better cattitude.
Stay PAWsitive!
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]