We have all been there. You come home from a hard day at the workplace, you place your belongings in their respective places, and you head straight for your cat(after greeting your spouse, of course). Mostly, the cat is lounging in your bed keeping it warm for you, but he/she is equally happy to see you. We give them a few strokes, a couple of "pretty kitty" remarks, and we feel better. Petting cats has a way of helping you decompress from all the stress of the day, but how? How do these precious creatures keep us sane?
Cat's have a positive effect on our health. Studies have shown a person who owns a cat is less likely to die from a heart attack or cardiovascular disease than someone who never owned one. They've been known to lower blood pressure, and they can help release serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter associated with the pleasure center of the brain. It is responsible for the feelings of love, pleasure, and reward, while dopamine affects mood stability, irritability, and memory. They also help to release oxytocin, a hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland that gives us the feeling of being in love. So, go ahead and hug your cat!
While the health benefits of having a cat are definitely a plus, we cannot discount the spiritual part of their personalities. While all animals have a spiritual essence, cats have an incredible energy. As a cat owner myself, I can appreciate my cat's ability to know when I am not feeling well. Monkey, my Norwegian forest cat, will lay right beside me when I am sick, while Beans, a tortie, will come right up onto my chest to snuggle. Cat's have the uncanny ability to neutralize negative energy without actually absorbing any themselves. In the realm of metaphysics, their are many books on the subject of a cat's energy and vibration. If you are interested in studying the energy of cats that would be a great place to start.
Bonding with your cat comes in many forms. They love a good rub down, and they aren't shy about letting you know. When they start purring, it is like a consistent melody that lulls you into a meditative state. It certainly makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Every morning my cat is right beside me, purring away. The first thing I do before I start my day is pet and talk to my cat. In fact, I have always talked to my cats, and cat owners will tell you, they listen. Sometimes it is nice to talk to something that cannot talk back. When we speak to our cat we are unloading our fears and our stresses in life. We tell them things that bother us that we cannot tell anyone else, plus they are great at keeping secrets!
There are many different reasons for our love of cats, and those of us that own them know how lucky we are to have them. Cats add a great value to our lives, and my home wouldn't be home without them. If you do not own a cat, what are you waiting for? It is never too late to experience the connection at a soul level that we have for these majestic, yet playful creatures. It can only enhance your life, so share it with the benevolent creature, the cat. You'll be glad you did.
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